craft gifts

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.

Wearing a traditional feathery chicha penacho headdress, an Aztec ruler is depicted by this Mexican mask. Juana Ponce creates this striking cultural mask, which is crafted from ceramic and painted by hand with colorful designs and intricate floral motifs in the characteristic style of Talavera handicrafts.

Evoking the ancient Aztecs, this bold men's pendant necklace is created by Taxco artisan Angel Ortiz in Mexico. A majestic eye, framed by traditional motifs, is crafted from sterling silver. The pendant centers black rubber cord that closes with a sterling clasp.

Angel Cerón reveals the presence of Chalchiuhtlicue as he works with clay extracted from the state of Oaxaca. Officially authorized to replicate pre-Hispanic museum pieces, Cerón crafts a detailed statuette of this feminine deity, the female companion of Tlaloc, Aztec god of rain. The original is dated between 1325 and 1521 A.D. Chalchiuhtlicue is the goddess of lakes, rivers, fountains, seas and oceans, and thus the protector of sailors and is also known as "She with the Jade Skirt" symbolizing pure and crystalline running water. "Chalchiuhtlicue is usually depicted holding a staff representing lightning, and a bag of copal, where clouds are formed. She is revered as the female principle of life and patron of midwives and newborns," explains Cerón who though he has officially retired, he continues to pursue his life-long passion for pre-Hispanic art.

Taking the form of a feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl is an ancient pre-Hispanic god paid homage in this stunning men's pendant necklace from Mexico. Working in the style of Taxco silversmithing, Mexican artisan Angel Ortiz crafts the pendant from sterling silver. It centers black rubber cord that closes with a sterling clasp.

The feathered serpent of Mesoamerican legend has a human face and a bird perches on his head. To the Maya, he was Kukulkan while the Aztecs called him Quetzalcoatl and in Yucatán he was known as Tepeu Kukumaz. Morneo depicts his own interpretation of the pre-Hispanic deity in bright psychedelic colours. The Mexican artisan works in papier-maché, crafting and painting the signature mask by hand.