decorative display

This extraordinary retablo designed by Peru’s Jose Ramos beautifully captures the essence of true love that transcends life and goes on even in the afterlife. In the unique diorama, two skeletons joyfully toast to their unbreakable bond while holding a red heart that symbolizes their eternal connection. Influenced by the Day of the Dead, this decorative accent is handcrafted from black walnut wood and showcases hand-painted ceramic figurines that are carefully arranged within. The doors, filled with elaborate floral and leaf designs, can be displayed either opened or closed, adding versatility to this captivating creation.

This highly unusual nativity scene set features the typical personages — Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Wise Men and angel, but all depicted as skeletal figures a la Day of the Dead. They are created by Juan and Carolina of Chichicastenango, Guatemala from pinewood and hand-painted.

Romantic love, that universal feeling that unites two people in life and also in the afterlife, is the inspiration behind Peruvian artisan Jose Ramos’ remarkable retablo where that powerful emotion is represented by two enamored skeletons on their wedding day. Inspired by the Day of the Dead, this exceptional diorama is meticulously handcrafted from black walnut wood. Its hand-painted ceramic figurines are skillfully arranged within with a prominent heart on the top that proudly bears the message “Together forever” in Spanish. Elaborate floral and leaf designs grace the doors which can be displayed opened or closed, offering versatility and enhancing the overall charm of this decorative accent.

Husband and wife duo Zeny and Reyna from Oaxaca grew up with the tradition of carving alebrijes (fantastical figurines of real and imagined animals); both of their parents were master carvers in that region's traditional folk art. Here they create a wildly colorful dragon in a contorted, acrobatic pose. The dragon is carved by hand from copal wood and painted in a rainbow of psychedelic colors.

Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.It is said that Oaxaca's alebrije tradition descends directly from Mexico City artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he became seriously ill and fell into a sort of coma. While he was unconscious, he had a most fantastic dream. He was caught between the land of the living and the dead; the place looked like a forest and was populated with creatures with body parts belonging to different animals. The beings repeatedly uttered the word alebrije, and when Linares woke up, he recreated these figures in vivid colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes . His work became famous and eventually influenced artisans in the state of Oaxaca who decided to craft alebrijes using traditional wood carving methods and according to that region's world vision.

Mexican artisan Armando Sobreyra handcrafts a ceramic serving dish in the Talavera style. With a cream background, the server is rimmed in a decorative border of cobalt blue. The center features an elaborate skull in blue in the style of the Day of the Dead. Whether used as a tray for sugar skulls or appetizers, or to serve up a side dish, this novel design will add character to your dining table.

Grinning Catrina frolics in a decoupage collage as Ana María González commemorates Day of the Dead with a colorful treasure chest. The word catrina is widely used in Mexico to mean "elegant and polished." Lithographer Jose Guadalupe Posadas created the skeletal Catrina, who was later immortalized in the murals of Diego Rivera. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is about celebrating the life of those who have passed, rather than mourning their deaths. People visit graves with offerings, including bright floral displays.

Part of NOVICA's Dia de los Muertos collection.

By Aida Martinez, this colorful sugar skull-inspired candle is decorated in multicolor floral motifs. She works in paraffin and carefully paints the image by hand. Perfect for décor or display, its waxed wick lets it burn as a functioning candle. Sugar skull or calavera candles are a traditional craft from Guanajuato, Mexico and are typically used as decoration for Dia Los Muertos offerings.

Smiling affectionately, this jack-o-lantern will add a beautiful glow to your home decor during Halloween. This candle holder is crafted from ceramic, featuring colorful floral motifs that are painted by hand in the style of Talavera handicrafts. Mexican artisan Juana Ponce designs this candle holder, which features an opening in the back for inserting a tealight or candle.

Skull images celebrate Mexico's Day of the dead in colorful coasters by Ana Maria Gonzalez. Working in decoupage on pinewood, she depicts the flirty Catrina in her feathered hat, a sugar skull, a bony skeleton with flowers in her hair and a geometric skull. The set of four arrives with a pinewood stand for storage and display.

Showing off her finery, Catrina is on display in this unique folk art wall accent from Rocio Pindter in Mexico. The small artwork is crafted from tin with a glass pane, and hand painted with a beautiful Catrina wearing a bodacious feathered hat. The blue metal frame is lavishly decorated with colorful flowers, fish and birds.

The original "La Calavera Catrina" was a zinc etching created by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in Mexico around 1910. Posada created the character, a female skeleton with an elegant hat, as a satirical portrait of Mexican natives who aspired to European style and denied their own heritage. The catrina has since become an emblem of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration and a popular folk art subject.