Miniature ofrenda (shrine) table, from Mexican Day of the Dead festival

This miniature ofrenda (shrine) table is one of a range of items made for the Mexican Day of the Dead festival (31 October - 2 November). Families create shrines at home for dead relations, with food and drink offerings and Christian and skeleton imagery

This miniature wooden table, decorated with a frilly border, is laden with bread and cakes, fruit, sugar cane, a bowl of food, beer, candles, a picture of the Virgin Mary and a skull.

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:	000-190-004-331-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland K.1999.1421
Date:	1999
Material:	Wood; card; fabric; baked clay
Dimensions:	65 mm H x 85 mm W x 55 mm deep
What:	Ofrenda table / shrine table / miniature
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Central America, Mexico Mexico, Mexico City (Sonora Market)
Event:	Mexican Day of the Dead festival
Description:	Miniature wooden ofrenda or shrine table with frilly border, laden with cakes, fruit, sugar cane, food, beer, candles, picture of Virgin Mary and skull, 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
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