Miniature skeleton bride and groom in box, from Mexican Day of the Dead festival

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This box is one of a huge 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 small wooden box, painted blue on its sides and top and pink on its inner 'floor', is lined with golden glitter and contains a ceramic skeleton bride and groom.

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.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-330-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  K.1999.1418
• Date: 1999
  
• Material: Ceramic; wood; paint, blue and pink; golden glitter
  Skeleton / miniature / box
  
• Dimensions: 62 mm H x 53 mm W x 33 mm deep
  
• What: Skeleton / miniature / box
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Central America, Mexico
  Mexico, Mexico City (Sonora Market)
  
• Event: Mexican Day of the Dead festival
  
• Description: Miniature ceramic bride and groom skeleton in a golden glitter lined wooden box painted blue on its sides and top and pink on its inner floor, made for the 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: