Polystyrene tray containing female 'Death' figures, 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). Families use these to decorate altars (ofrendas) dedicated to dead relations. The female skeletons probably represent Death, and remind us we all die.

This polystyrene tray contains ten plastic female skeletons, each with pink, brown or white hair and bright lipstick. Each wears either a hairy garment or a sash, and each carries a bottle of beer in one hand and a bat in the other. All can be suspended.

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:	000-190-004-337-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland K.1999.1428
Date:	1999
Material:	Polystyrene; plastic
Dimensions:
What:	Tray / figure, skeleton
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Central America, Mexico Mexico, Mexico City (Sonora Market)
Event:	Mexican Day of the Dead festival
Description:	Polystyrene tray containing multiple plastic `witch` skeleton figures, each with a bat and bottle of beer, made for the Mexico Day of the Dead festival, 1999
References:	Carmichael, E. and Sayer, C., The Skeleton at the feast. Texas: 1997
Translations:
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