wall adornment

Crescent moons cast a spell of magical mysticism as flowers blossom on starry nights and owls and birds come out to play. Jose Arriola paints each ceramic moon with the vibrant colors of Guatemala.

Fascinated by nature's creatures, Eufrosia Pantaleon welcomes a handsome lizard. The Mexican artisan paints the black ceramic lizard by hand.

Eufrosia Pantaleon gives the traditionally wise owl a wild flair in her ceramic wall adornment. Hand painted in a palate of rich reds and yellow, the owl dons a beautiful petaled flower on its chest.

When the sun god and the moon goddess meet in romantic eclipse, owls and quetzals come out to honor them. Jose Arriola designs these extraordinary ceramic wall ornaments, which he crafts and paints by hand, inspired by the legends and colors that underscore Guatemalan traditions.

Eufrosia Pantaleon crafts this charming wall sculpture by hand, choosing the fresh hues of springtime as her colour palette. Cheerful and bright, this ceramic wall art evokes the image of a shining April sun.

Feathers fan outward like petals, framing the face of Quetzalcoatl. Working in clay, artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association depict the "plumed serpent" with tiger teeth, to destroy enemies' hearts. The original piece was found in the Temple of Teotihuacan and dates from the Classic Period (100 to 800 AD). This exquisite sculpture faithfully replicates the original.

According to the beliefs of most pre-Hispanic cultures, a smiling sun warms the earth for life to be born and renewed. Georgina Cabrera incorporates Aztec motifs such as maize, flowers, priests, and warriors in kaleidoscopic alignment, blending her own ingenuity, her family's trade, and her country's tradition. Accents of colour brighten the ceramic piece, making it the essential adornment for a patio or garden.

Based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Cabrera works with a special clay sent to her by her relatives from her natal Otumba. The clay comprises of three different types of clay blended with plumilla (the flower from reeds along the local riverbanks). Once the clay has taken form, it is left to dry in the sun for up to five days before baking at approximately 450° C. Finally, Cabrera uses acrylics to hand-paint the piece, providing the adequate accents for the viewer to appreciate the impressive symbols of a long admired civilization.

A proud Cabrera states: "I love to transmit my ideas through my products for people to get to know my work."