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

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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.

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-334-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: 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
  Box / scene / candelabra / miniature
  
• 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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