mexican wall plates

Formed of three blue peyote buds, a lighted candle is radiant in this exquisite nierika, or votive beadwork painting by Kupihaute. A butterfly alights on either side in his composition, which takes the shape of a flower with five wide petals.

The artisan, who writes fluently in the Huichol, Nahuatl, Spanish and English languages, talks about this work in his own words. "The nierika is a mirror that is offered to the sea together with the first corn that has been harvested, in order to renew the cycle of rains that will give life to the next crop cycle. As in most of the ancient cultures of our planet, the candle represents our trajectory between being born and returning. For this reason, even today, during the celebration of our birthday, it is customary to light and blow out as many candles as solar cycles have elapsed. The butterflies and spirals are indicating that existence is energy in permanent transformation between arising from and returning to earth."

The intricate images are formed with tiny seed beads. Kupihuate patiently places them one at a time with a needle made of abalone shell onto a huanacaxtle wood backing. Beeswax is used instead of glue.

The process is totally spontaneous, with no previous sketch or design. It is guided by the artist's unconscious to tell the stories that remain in our collective ancestral memory. He signs his work with the symbol of a butterfly on the reverse side of the nierika.

A lovely angel with hands folded in prayer and roses in her flowing auburn hair graces this handcrafted decorative ceramic plate. Designed by Mexican artisan Maria Isabel Cruz, the plate is made using the centuries-old dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture is applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. The plate can be hung on a wall for display via the nylon cord on the back.

Grasping a leafy branch, a sweet bird with a rainbow of stripes decorates this ceramic wall art from Mexico. Maria Isabel Cruz creates the piece, crafted using the dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath.

Angel Cerón presents a faithful replica of the Aztec calendar, known also as the "Sun Stone." According to pre-Hispanic beliefs, there have been a total of five suns, including the current one. According to legend, the previous four, together with humans, were destroyed by the gods' wrath. The calendar represents the fifth sun and tells the story of the past four and marks the changing of the seasons. The Aztecs (or "Mexica," as they called themselves) believed the sun struggled daily against the forces of darkness. They aided the sun through human sacrifices.

Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association present a faithful replica of the Aztec calendar, known also as the "Sun Stone." According to pre-Hispanic beliefs, there have been a total of five suns, including the current one. It is said the previous four, together with humans, were destroyed by the gods' wrath. The calendar represents the fifth sun and tells the story of the past four and marks the changing of the seasons. The Aztecs (or "Mexica," as they called themselves) believed the sun struggled daily against the forces of darkness. They aided the sun through human sacrifices.

Features a loop for hanging.

Five colorful cats across a yellow background smile on this handcrafted decorative ceramic plate perfect for the feline fancier. Designed by Mexican artisan Maria Isabel Cruz, the plate is made using the centuries-old dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. The plate can be hung on a wall for display via the nylon cord on the back.

Gazing serenely into the eyes of the viewer, renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is accompanied by a yellow bird in this ceramic decorative plate. Maria Isabel Cruz uses the centuries-old dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. A length of nylon cord on the back provides for easy hanging.

Dressed in finery from a bygone era, a couple strolls on the hacienda grounds. Gorky González creates an exquisite decorative plate in the style of Mexico's colonial Majolica ceramics. The piece is shaped on a potter's wheel and painted by hand.

González signs his work "AT," for alfarería tradicional (traditional ceramics).

Working in ceramic, artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association recreate the elaborate stone sculpture known as the "Aztec Calendar" or "Sun Stone." Discovered in Mexico City, the original massive stone is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology and History. The Aztecs (or Mexica, as they called themselves) believed that the sun struggled daily against the forces of darkness. They aided the sun through human sacrifices.

A colorful green and pink rooster on a lavender and orange background gazes out from this whimsical handcrafted decorative ceramic plate. Designed by Mexican artisan Maria Isabel Cruz, the plate is made using the centuries-old dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. The plate can be hung on a wall for display via the nylon cord on the back.

A bright yellow rooster with an orange and red tail struts across a blue background in this handcrafted decorative ceramic plate. Designed by Mexican artisan Maria Isabel Cruz, the plate is made using the centuries-old dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture is applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. The plate can be hung on a wall for display via the nylon cord on the back.

An orange mama cat and her three colorful kittens happily play together on this handcrafted decorative ceramic plate. Designed by Mexican artisan Maria Isabel Cruz, the plate is made using the centuries-old dry rope technique, in which a wax mixture made of magnesium oxide and fat are applied to the outlines of the image or motif prior to glazing. The wax mixture creates a barrier that keeps the different fill colors in the design separate during firing, before burning off to reveal the blackened ceramic beneath. The plate can be hung on a wall for display via the nylon cord on the back.