Mexico has a long tradition of craftsmen who specialize in creating miniatures. Currently the Museum of Popular Arts has a special exhibition displaying this special art form.
Here are some examples from the exhibit. Keep in mind that these items are tiny, but show amazing detail.
Musical instruments
A marimba made from pieces of amber
Musicians
Miniature nativity scenes
You often see these in the handicraft markets, and I have bought a number of them as gifts.
A lacquerware box
A tiny copper kettle
A miniature cockfight scene
A "jaripeo" (bull riding contest) complete with a village-full of spectators
An intricately carved piece of cow bone
A "molcajete" - the stone mortar and pestle used in grinding salsas
A replica of a mask used in folk dances
This is no bigger than my thumbnail.
Miniature pieces of pottery
The last showcase featured works by a miniaturist by the name of Yosafat Delgado Mandujano. These are typical things that you would see on a Mexico City street. They are somewhat larger than most of the other objects in the exhibit, but the attention to detail is fantastic.
A taco vendor's bicycle leaning against a street sign
A street food stand selling "tortas", a typical Mexican sandwich
On the counter you can see a "torta", some empty plates and used napkins.
Not all the trash made it to the garbage can.
Signs on the windows list the different kinds of "tortas" and prices.
A shoe shine stand complete with tiny tins and bottles of polish and advertising on the awning.
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