With sharp red fangs and his characteristic round eyes, Tlaloc is the Aztec god of rain and lightning. Skilled ceramists from the Angel Ceron Artisan Association replicate an ancient polychrome vessel dating from 1440 to 1469 A.D. They work in ceramic, creating the colors from mineral oxides, and giving the image an aged, antique finish.

 The original vessel can be seen in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.
 

Product Features: 

• Dimensions: 5.5" H x 4.3" W x 5" D
• Weight: 1.32
• Color: Blue
• Material: Ceramic
• Origin: Made in Mexico

Story Behind the art:
Latest Update

I've been working hand-in-hand with you since 2003. It was my nephew, Eduardo Escamilla, who suggested this, and I found the project to be spectacular. As you may know, I'm an engineer by profession but I feel an overwhelming passion for our pre-Hispanic cultures. This is what led me to create my own representations of the deities from our past. This has been a process in which, together with my family, we've continually perfected our designs and this is also because I love perfection.

Thanks to all of you, I was able to become more independent and offer work to more families who assist me. Together with my nephew Eduardo, I've increased the number of designs so that our collection shows a wide range of sculptures.

One of the most significant challenges I've had to face was my battle with cancer. Unfortunately, it's come back even more intensely, but every member of my family has always been with me. Sadly, my cancer is terminal now, and my family is always by my side.

Today, my health prevents me from looking after each detail of my work, as I always used to. But the artisans who assist me in the workshop are some of the finest talents in Mexico.

The Angel Ceron Artisan Association is composed of Milton González, Emilio Espejel, Brian Gonzalez, Isaac Espejel, Adrian Gonzalez, Josefina Claudio, Jorge Esparza, Saul Landon, Mauricio Hernandez, Guadalupe Lopez, Magdalena Torres, and Erick Contreras. Everyone is charged with a type of sculpture and specializes in a particular technique.

Original Artisan Story

Angel Cerón comes from a family with generations of artisan experience. He learned the family ceramic techniques from his father, Antonio Cerón Orta, a renowned artisan. Angel began a long study of Mexico's pre-Hispanic cultures and learned the Nahuatl language spoken in ancient Mesoamerica.

First, the proper materials must be acquired. Cerón uses clay from northern Oaxaca state, the only clay of this kind in Mexico and perhaps in the world. The unique characteristics of this yellow clay make it ideal for molding. It dries evenly and is especially hard, thus it is resistant to impact and can withstand very high temperatures. 

The handmade touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size, and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen.

Imported