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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

The striking image of Frida Kahlo gazes out from this colorful handcrafted 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.

The memory of a Talavera palace remains alive in these dangle earrings, crafted by Juana Ponce of Mexico. Composed of hand-painted ceramic pieces hanging from 14k gold-plated brass accents, the pair's magic resides in the natural jasper jewels that decorate the top—shining in blue hues.

Modern, sophisticated and chic, Diana Padilla's newest design gracefully combines different elements to create a unique accessory full of stylish energy. Using glass beads, the Mexican artisan starts her creation with two colorful cubes hanging from 18k gold-plated clasps. Then, as the final touch, cultured pearls add elegance to the dangle earrings.

The cool moon tempers his ardor as the sun declares his love. Depicting a romantic, cosmic kiss, J. Blas designs a colorful wall sculpture. Themes of duality – good and bad, light and dark, sun and moon, day and night – appear throughout ancient Mexican thought.