keepsake

This holiday season, let Alejandra Gallardo transport you to a unique celebration of life–Mexican-style. Skillfully hand-painted, this exquisite pair of wooden ornaments evokes the reverent spirit of the Day of the Dead celebrations through her artful use of color and form. Unique touches like the bright ribbons for hanging add whimsy and charm to these keepsakes, which will lend warm character to your Christmas tree.

Grinning skeletons share a feast and a bottle of tequila as marigolds illuminate the scene. Ana Maria González celebrates the Day of the Dead with a colorful chest for personal treasures. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is about celebrating the life of those who have passed away, rather than mourning their deaths. People visit graves with offerings, including altars such as the one depicted on one side of the jewelry box. It features a compartment beneath the lid and a drawer.

Part of NOVICA's Dia de los Muertos collection.

This chest treasures the timeless allure of Catrina, as first developed by renowned Mexican caricaturist José Guadalupe Posadas. Personifying death, Catrina is a coquettish character that symbolizes Mexican customs and beliefs. She is portrayed eating a watermelon and drinking tequila in a decoupage composition by Ana Maria Gonzalez. She uses it to adorn a pinewood box featuring iron fixtures.

Part of NOVICA's Dia de los Muertos collection.

Ana Maria Gonzalez celebrates Day of the Dead traditions with the design of this jewelry box. She masters decoupage techniques featuring Mexico's lotería (bingo) cards with different skeletal images. The pinewood chest features a drawer and an upper compartment with three segments under the lid--perfect for keeping small treasures organized.

The magical mysticism of Huichol art inspires the design of this jewelry box. Deer, hummingbirds, Huichol shamans and sacred peyote flowers appear in a psychedellic feast of color. Ana Maria González masters decoupage techniques on a pinewood box with a mirror inside.