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

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:	0098: 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
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:
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