The Tent of Handicrafts

In my last post where I was describing the Christmas festival on the Zócalo, I was about to enter the large tent featuring the handcrafts of Mexican artisans.  As soon as I entered I could tell that the merchandise here was handmade and of high quality.  It is a good thing that I had brought money with me, because I went on a small shopping spree.

One of the first booths that I cam upon was of the Servín family, makers of fine ceramics.  I  have always liked their work, and I own a couple of their pieces.  Something I had not seen before were ceramic Nativity scenes.  The fellow manning the booth was a member of the family, and it is his wife, Imelda Servín, who makes and hand paints the Nativity figures.

I couldn't resist, and I bought the smaller set to the right as a gift to take the next trip I make to Ohio.

This booth featured hand blown glass Christmas tree ornaments from the town of Chignahuapan in the state of Puebla.

I had a delightful chat with this gentleman.  His name is Juan Vásquez, and he comes from the town of Temalacatzingo in the state of Guerrero.

Señor Vásquez makes lacquerware and objects carved from wood in his workshop.  I purchased a small jaguar mask to add to my collection.

This lady comes from the town of Amatenango del Valle in the state of Chiapas.  The town is known for its clay figures, usually of jaguars.

I already have a number of jaguar figures from this town, but I bought a tiny one to put with my Nativity scene.  There will be a jaguar in Bethlehem!

This impressive wood carving of the Last Supper was one of the items for sale by an Otomí artisan from the state of Hidalgo.

The famous black pottery of the town of San Bartolo de Coyotepec in Oaxaca

What a cool tee shirt, embroidered by an Otomí artisan!

Among the items that this lady from the state of Guanajuato had were some handmade dolls.  So I bought one for a daughter of a friend.

This woodcarver of "alebrijes" and other figures is named Agustín Cruz Prudencio.  He comes from the town of San Agustín de las Juntas in the state of Oaxaca, and he has won numerous awards for his artwork.

I love this whimsical Nativity scene in which the Holy Family is aboard Noah's Ark and the Three Wise Men are climbing the gang plank.  It's a bit beyond my budget however.  The price is 85,000 pesos... 4,724 U.S. dollars.

I did, however, buy a small, intricately painted bear.

As in previous years, the best part of the Christmas festival is the handicraft market.