artistic sculpture

Inspired by the sacred traditions of the ancient Zapotec people, this ceramic sculpture reflects the artistry of funerary urns once used to honor the dead. Intricate details and symbolic motifs echo the rich spiritual heritage of Mesoamerica, capturing the essence of a culture that revered ancestry and the afterlife. Crafted with expert precision by the Angel Ceron Artisan Association, this exquisite figurine stands as a tribute to cultural heritage.

Master ceramist Walter Jose Acosta replicates the art of the Chimu culture with this canine vase. Acosta is faithful to the artistic details and colors favored by the Chimu, who lived in northern Peru between 1100 and 1400 B.C. Acosta crafts a stunning ceramic replica, which he paints with natural pigments. The sculpture is then buried in the ground for a few days to achieve a weathered look.

Holding a head in one hand and a sacrificial knife in the other, this sculpture of a Moche cutthroat replicates this culture's amazing artistry. The cutthroat was an important character who not only sacrificed prisoners, he also "delivered" a person to the gods when in need of rain or other favors. The Moche people lived in northern Peru around 100-800 A.D., and they were renowned for their ceramic excellence, which usually represented divine creators, humans, animals, and other significant scenes. Ceramic sculptures were usually placed as sacred offerings in the tombs of important Moche people. Inspired by this important legacy, Walter Jose Acosta crafts this ceramic replica by hand, faithfully replicating Moche stylizations.

Angel Cerón finds inspiration in the art and beliefs of the Olmeca people to replicate the sculpture of a jaguar holding a man standing on his head. "The original sculpture is from the middle pre-classic period of 1200-400 B.C. and was found in San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, Veracruz," explains the master ceramist. "The ancient Olmeca believed they were descendants of the union between a jaguar and a woman. The actual myth seems to have been lost in time, though many of their celebrations and artistry make reference to the jaguar, especially portraying people with feline facial characteristics including fangs. There used to be a considerable jaguar population in the same region where the Olmeca culture developed, so they regarded the feline as having some connection with their origin. They also believed it to represent both the world of th living, and the underworld," continues Cerón, who crafts the sculpture with yellow clay from the state of Oaxaca creating low and high relief accents and gives it an antiqued finish.

Peru’s Walter Jose Acosta breathes life into the stylistic art of the Moche people, also known as Mochica, fashioning an extraordinary ceramic reproduction of a huaco vessel. Every intricate detail of this exquisitely handcrafted accessory comes alive as the vessel showcases the head of a man adorned with a traditional headdress. This remarkable decorative accent will transport you to the heart of Peruvian heritage, a testament to the timeless beauty and enduring legacy of ancient artistry.