Posted 5 years ago
ho2cultcha
(5051 items)
This one just cracks me up! some kind of a snake maybe? or an amphibian of some kind? they are just so bizarre! Where do you think they're from?
This one is the strangest! Pottery animal from Mexico, maybe? | ||
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A frog? Love them all!!
All your little animals ("animalitos") are from the Mexican state of Chiapas, made in the Tzeltal Mayan community of Amatenango del Valle, in the east central highlands. They were generally fanciful little figures, which usually can't be identified as any specific animal, which is part of their charm.
Similar animals are made in Jamiltepec, Oaxaca, but they are larger, and the clay slip used to decorate them looks a little different. Yours are definitely from Chiapas.
These might date to the mid- to late-20th century. The popular style being produced there today seems to be larger, more detailed, animal forms (which can bring much higher prices on the market), rather than these tiny, quickly-formed, charming folk art souvenirs. But it's possible a few potters are still making them like this.