aztec art

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. This beautiful replica is sculpted in clay and given a crackled antique effect. Features a loop for hanging.

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. This beautiful replica is sculpted in clay and given a crackled antique effect. Features a loop for hanging.

The town of San Salvador Huixcolotla in Puebla is known as the capital of papel picado or cut paper art which is a Mexican folk art tradition that goes back to the time of the Aztecs and is now used to decorate Day of the Dead altars. Artisan Isabel Rodriguez designs a colorful set of three tissue paper banners laser cut to attain the precise designs, which include flowers, donkey piñatas and doves.

"I depict a fearless jaguar against a starry sky. This is one of the most beautiful animals that exist — strong, powerful, with a profound gaze," Marina Pallares confides. Working in black and white, she creates a small-scale linoleum block print. The feline held a special place in many Mesoamerican cultures. A resident of the Yucatan peninsula, the small spotted cat was venerated by the ancient Maya, who called it Balam. The renowned Aztec Jaguar warriors, an elite infantry comprised of pre-Hispanic noblemen, wore helmets in the shape of the jaguar, or oceotl. And the Olmec "were-jaguar" — half human, half cat — is a recurrent theme in their art.

Crafted in the ancient Oaxacan style of barro negro ceramics, this set of four coasters is fascinating. Margarita Revilla in Mexico creates the coasters in a process that can take several weeks. Each coaster is etched with a round motif inspired by Maya and Aztec calendars.

Once the loyal companion of the Aztec warriors, the Xoloitzcuintle inspires today this cute design from Mexico. Artisan Sergio Ponce draws inspiration from the traditional Hacienda style to decorate this ceramic sculpture, whose painted finish enriches the puppy's adorable look.