Boxed miniature set with Tree of Life candelabrum, from Mexican Day of the Dead festival

This is one of a range of items for the Mexican Day of the Dead festival (31 October - 2 November), used to decorate altars (ofrendas) dedicated to dead relations. It combines the Biblical Tree of Life idea with a reminder that death comes to us all.

This glazed box contains a miniature scene of a room, with suns, skulls, sequins and braid on the wall, two pots with flowers on the floor, and a candle holder in the shape of the Tree of Life in the middle, with a skull on top and skeleton in its limbs.

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:	000-190-004-334-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland K.1999.1424
Date:	1999
Material:	Wood; fired clay; fabric; sequins; glazed
Dimensions:	156 mm H x 172 mm W x 47 mm deep
What:	Box / scene / candelabra / miniature
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Central America, Mexico Mexico, Mexico City (Sonora Market)
Event:	Mexican Day of the Dead festival
Description:	Glazed box containing a ceramic miniature room scene featuring a Tree of Life candelabra with a skull at the top and skeleton in its limbs , made for the Mexico 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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