This marvelous decorative mask is shaped like the head of a jaguar and decorated with floral motifs. Mexican artisans Fernando and Magali Pedro create the mask using the time-honored techniques of Oaxacan barro negro. The unique black color and slightly metallic sheen are obtained by polishing the clay's surface with a quartz stone before the piece is fired.
Made in Mexico
Ceramic
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
“In our community many traditions are still preserved that our grandparents taught us, thanks to the fact that we continue to instill it in our children."
“Hello, we are Fernando and Magali, originally from San Bartolo Coyotepec, and we work with barro negro (black clay)....“Hello, we are Fernando and Magali, originally from San Bartolo Coyotepec, and we work with barro negro (black clay). For us, clay is something that comes from generation to generation in our families. It started with our grandparents, continued with our parents, and continues with us, who are now the third generation. As our parents and grandparents taught us, now we teach our children, so they will soon be the fourth generation of artisans in both families. In addition, we are in a government program to teach young people who want to learn how to make clay pieces.
“We extract the black mud from a mine at the foot of the hill, right here in the community. We soak it and strain it, to remove the stones, roots, sand and everything that is not mud, since the mud has to be fine to be able to work it. Then we knead it and make the figure. Once the figure is made, we give it the finish, whether openwork, engraved or burnished. Then we let the pieces dry and cook them in wood ovens, to give the color to the clay. We work with the reduction of oxygen; at the time of firing our pieces, the smoke impregnates the clay and is what turns it black. This entire procedure takes 20 to 25 days, from the time the mud is extracted from the mine, until we make the piece.
To make the pieces we only use water and clay. It is easy to mold it while it is fresh, though for us perhaps it is easy because we have many years of practice.
“In our community we start working with clay from a very young age. Around the age of 7 the first piece is made, and at 12 or 13 years of age we start working on the figures, the polishing or the finishes. When we are children we begin more with the intention of playing, but later, when we are older, we do it with the intention of learning and we begin to make designs. There are also people who come to live in the community at the age of 25 or 30 and begin to work with clay and learn the technique.
“My favorite part of making the pieces is finishing them, because it's not repetitive. Each piece is different; we can make flowers, hearts, rounded petals, pointed petals, a flower with a cover or a flower with openwork, etc. There we can express ourselves better, and that is why all the pieces come out different and the craft becomes something unique.
Our inspiration comes from the admiration we see in the people who purchase our crafts. Seeing that they like it, we want to continue creating and modernizing ourselves.
“Although there are many pieces of black clay and many designs, each craftsman has his own technique. For example, here in San Bartolo, many skulls are worked, but we like to add something distinctive like flowers, braids or a different fretwork. Because of that, I can easily distinguish my pieces from those of others. Sometimes people bring us images as a reference to make an equal piece, and when we see it we realize that that piece in the image is ours.
“Initially, my husband and I each worked in the workshop of our respective families. My mother had her business and I worked with her, and my husband had his business with his family. When we met we decided to open our own workshop and that's how we started. Since then, working on our own has not been easy, since there are many artisans in the field. However we have put all our effort and love into it and we currently have 17 years with our workshop, working daily with around 15 people.
“In our community many traditions are still preserved that our grandparents taught us, thanks to the fact that we continue to instill it in our children. Both we, and the 400 families of artisans in our community, continue to instill in our children a love of crafts. Traditions such as community festivals, stewardships or the tradition of going to the mine to extract the mud are still being preserved. The customs and traditions have not been lost; here the streets are still rustic, the houses are picturesque. These are things that people like to know.
“Crafts allow us to continue with the customs and traditions that our ancestors inherited. We can make known the beautiful art that we can make with our hands, not only within our country but throughout the world, and that is the motivation to continue preserving our legacy.”
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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