ceramic cats

The largest feline native to Nicaragua, the jaguar figures often in its pre-Hispanic art. In a tribute to her country's past, Arlen Estrada depicts the spotted jungle cat in a ceramic vessel. Earthen motifs are painted by hand on the pale yellow background, similar to the images seen in archaeological treasures. The vessel stands on three legs with handles above each.

The most important deity in the Aztec pantheon, Tezcatlipoca, or "Smoking Mirror," is also one of the oldest, first appearing during the pre-Mexica Teotihuacan era. He is the god of fertility, of the wind, of life, of maize and of agriculture, and is said to have taught humans how to measure time and create the calendar. He is considered the antagonist of Quetzalcoatl, yet in later accounts, Quetzalcoatl is described as the black Tezcatlipoca.

Working in polychrome ceramic, Angel Cerón depicts Tezcatlipoca as his nahual, or animal counterpart — a jaguar named Tepeyollotli.

The fever dream of the famous Pedro Linares started a fascinating art style, an icon of Mexican culture. Inspired by alebrije creations, Nohemi Calixto handcrafts a ceramic figure of a stealthy jaguar, handpainted with an intricate pattern of black, white and yellow tones.

The fever dream of the famous Pedro Linares started a vibrant art style, an icon of Mexican tradition. Inspired by alebrije creations, Nohemi Calixto handcrafts a ceramic figure of a ferocious jaguar, handpainted with an intricate pattern of cyan, purple, yellow and green tones.

The sculpted bust of a jaguar warrior unearthed in Texcoco inspires artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association in the creation of this sculpture. Ancient Aztecs believed the jaguar to be associated with the god of night, and to become a jaguar one had to capture at least four enemies. Jaguar warriors, or ocelopilli, were used to capture enemies to be sacrificed to the gods. They would wear jaguar fur and claws for they believed the items would make them stronger and braver. They fought with wooden swords studded with obsidian.