always jewelry

Ever elegant, Catrina poses among flowers and bones in a brilliant necklace designed by Maria Belén Nilson. The necklace is crafted of sterling silver and detailed with oxidized accents that recalls the beauty of antique Mexican jewellery.

Catrina is the original creation of José Guadalupe Posadas, renowned author, journalist and political cartoonist (1852-1913). He is credited for popularizing the Day of the Dead celebrations, especially through the creation of skeletal cartoons that capture the Mexican attitude towards death. The most renowned of these is La Catrina (meaning "dapper"), and she is always elegantly dressed, featuring a wide-brimmed hat with colourful flowers.

“My products show a little piece of my hometown of Tonala, which I always carry in my heart,” says Mexican artisan Ana Maria Gonzalez. She crafts this decoupage box from pine wood. It can be used as decoration or for storing jewellery and other belongings. The box is handmade and the cover features a printed image of a woman wearing traditional Mexican attire. Once dried, the box is treated for a unique aged finish.

Wearing majestic jewelry and a large red bindi, Queen Satyavati is truly regal in this colorful portrait. She is described in the Hindu epic Mahabharata and was brought up as a commoner who was adopted by a fisherman. "I have always found great pleasure in listening to the Mahabharata stories," artist Sonu Chopra confides. "The name Satyavati suggests 'Smelling of Truth,' and she was blessed with a heavenly fragrance that did not belong to this world. Satyavati charmed King Shantanu, one of the great kings of Bharata, and married him."

The sacred celebrations in the Balinese islands always come with wondrous floral offerings called Kuangen, made with natural elements from the region's forests. Inspired by their graceful look, artisan Made Tinon crafts these sterling silver dangle earrings in a Kuangen shape, enriched by a dapper combination of polished and oxidized finishes.