Free-standing miniature skeleton bride and groom, from Mexican Day of the Dead festival

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This couple is one of a range of items made for the Mexican Day of the Dead festival (31 October - 2 November). Families use these to decorate altars (ofrendas) dedicated to dead relations. Skeleton imagery is used to remind people that we will all die.

This miniature bride and groom is made of painted fired clay, with the heads fixed on using wire. The bride wears a flowing white wedding dress and a lacy veil, and holds a little pink bag; the groom is in a black suit with top hat.

The Mexican Day of the Dead festival combines the Christian feasts of All Souls' Day (31 October) and All Saints' Day (Todos Santos, Hallowmas, 1 November) with pre-Christian beliefs, in celebrating the return of the dead with feasts and offerings.

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-332-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  K.1999.1422
• Date: 1999
  
• Material: Fired clay; paint; fabric; wire; card
  Skeleton / wedding couple / miniature
  
• Dimensions: 88 mm H x 46 mm W x 32 mm deep
  
• What: Skeleton / wedding couple / miniature
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Central America, Mexico
  Mexico, Mexico City (Sonora Market)
  
• Event: Mexican Day of the Dead festival
  
• Description: Free-standing miniature ceramic skeleton wedding couple, the bride is dressed in a long white gown, veil and bag, the groom in black suit with top hat, made for Mexican Day of the Dead festival, 1999
  
• References:
  • Carmichael, E. and Sayer, C. The Skeleton at the Feast, Texas, 1997 
  • Carmichael, E. and Sayer, C., The Skeleton at the feast. Texas: 1997 
• Translations:
• Related Records: