crafts from guatemala

Wearing the skin of a jaguar, a young man dances to the sound of an unseen drum as he imitates the movements of the lithe jungle cat. Ruben and Gilda Perez depicts an image from a vase discovered at Altar de Sacrificios, an ancient Maya site locate upriver from Yaxchilan. An offering in Burial 96, the original polychrome vase is crafted of terracotta and on display at Guatemala's Museum of Anthropology and History.

The Guatemalan artisans etch the intricate motifs into natural jade and display the plaque on a black pinewood base.

Working with recycled palo blanco and trumpet tree wood, Guatemalan artisan Julio Molina creates a pair of dangle earrings that make an ecological statement. Two red squares are crafted from the wood, featuring the cutout image of a Mayan warrior. These earrings swing from hooks of sterling silver. Says the artisan, "I being able to create these earrings. They are totally unique. I believe that with these pieces we can be conscious of the great cutting of trees that is affecting our ecosystem."

Diminutive worry dolls in handwoven apparel stand shoulder to shoulder on a cheerful and unique wreath. Elias Garcia links two circles to suggest the solidarity of different families, communities and cultures. The dolls are crafted by his sister of the Lopez Garcia family. Centered by a wooden plaque reading "Friends Forever," this charming design hangs from a golden cord.

According to Maya legend, the sun god gave princess Ixmucane the gift of solving people's problems. With time, people started making dolls in Ixmucane's honor and they would tell her their woes, hoping she would solve them through the dolls. Many people whisper to the dolls, then place them under their pillows at night, hoping that the doll will provide a solution as they sleep.

Elias Garcia links two open hearts to represent love. Diminutive worry dolls in handwoven apparel stand shoulder to shoulder on a cheerful and unique double wreath; they are crafted by his sister of the Lopez Garcia family. Centering the hearts, a wooden plaque reads "Blessed." This charming design hangs from a golden cord.

According to Maya legend, the sun god gave princess Ixmucane the gift of solving people's problems. With time people started making dolls in Ixmucane's honor and they would tell her their woes, hoping she would solve them through the dolls. Many people whisper to the dolls, then place them under their pillows at night, hoping that the doll will provide a solution as they sleep.