Christmas & Hanukkah
The Radiance of Tin Art
Tinwork is one of Mexico's oldest crafts. Rooted in Spanish colonial times, tinplate workers manufactured it by dipping thin sheets of iron into molten tin. This coats the iron with a bright, durable surface that is resistant to rusting. Our tin figures are entirely handmade (cutout, punched, embossed and soldered) by craftsmen using great precision and artistic flair. Painted with bright, durable lacquer and enamel colors, tin figures are inexpensive, lightweight and long lasting. In modern Mexico, the two centers of tin smithing are Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende, and we carry products from both cities.
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Read More About Christmas & Hanukkah
In this section of our Mexican tin art collection, we offer an array of tin products for the holiday season. These include boxed and folding nativity scenes, and colorful, flat Christmas & Hanukkah theme ornaments, all handmade in Oaxaca. These figures are tooled by hand, not stamped out with a machine, then painted on both sides in brilliant, gleaming colors. Use these flat ornaments to decorate your holiday tree, include them inside your holiday greeting cards, or use them as unique gift box ID tags. Add a few colorful stars to your front-door wreath.
The age of tinwork in Mexico goes back at least to the 1700s. Tin was originally manufactured by dipping thin sheets of iron into molten tin to coat them with a bright surface that was durable and highly resistant to rusting. (However, if the surface is scratched, revealing the iron underneath, it will begin to rust if exposed to rain or high humidity.) For an artisan, the appeal of working with tin is its lightness, strength and low cost. It is easily bent, cut and soldered to form intricate shapes.
In eras gone by, Mexicans decorated their homes with tin photo frames, candelabras, lanterns, tin and glass frames (nichos) holding pictures of saints. In humble churches, tin crowns were set on the heads of statues, lit tin lanterns were carried during processions, tin candlesticks adorn the altars.
Tinwork is often referred as the poor man’s silver. In Mexico, every religious and festive object handcrafted in silver has a counterpart in humbler forms made from tinplate. Yet the same degree of skill and passion the silversmiths put into their work could be found in the less opulent pieces made by tinsmiths. Their pieces, too had an alluring shine, that charming brilliance.
These days, tinsmiths in Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende are carrying on the traditions, making Christmas decorations, tin soldiers, heart-shaped wall plaques and a variety of clever toys. Most of their work is for export to the southern United States, where tinwork is one of the most visible manifestations of Mexican Culture. Most popular with American collectors are the cheerful, flat ornaments, of which we have many here at Viva Oaxaca Folk Art. Take a look and enjoy.
Showing 1–28 of 67 results
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Holiday Candle Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Holiday candle ornament measures 4 inches tall. Hang the sparkly, flat ornament on your Christmas tree, or enclose one in each of your holiday greeting cards. Painted on the front side. Handcrafted in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_001$4.75 -
Wreath with Candle Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall x 3.75 inches across
Our Wreath with Candle Ornament is painted in multiple bright colors. It is painted on both sides. Include one in your holiday greeting cards for a sweet surprise. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_002$4.75 -
Holiday Candles Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall x 3.25 inches wide
Our Holiday Candles Ornament is very shiny and bright! It features three candles atop a pink and blue bow. Colors vary as shown. Each candle has a yellow flame. It is painted on both sides. Very festive. Include one in your holiday greeting cards for a sweet surprise. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_010$4.75 -
Candle Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our candle ornament is painted on both sides. Hang the sparkly, flat ornament on your tree, or enclose one in each of your greeting cards.
SKU: TN-6_036$4.75 -
Lantern Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our lantern ornament features blue trim, a gold flame, and green leaves. Hang the sparkly, flat ornament on your Christmas tree, or enclose one in each of your holiday greeting cards. Painted on the front side. Handcrafted in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_011$4.75 -
Green Christmas Tree Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall
Our Green Christmas Tree Ornament is bold in bright green with a gold star. It is painted on both sides. Include one in your holiday greeting cards for a sweet surprise. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_012$4.75 -
Christmas Tree Ornament
Size: 4.5 inches tall
Our Christmas Tree Ornament has a silver background with green and yellow edging and a blue star. Made in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: TN-6_013$4.75 -
Angel Child Ornament
Size: 4.5 inches long
Our Angel Child Ornament is of a flying young angel blowing her horn. It is multi-colored, bright and shiny. Her pink dress and blond hair stand out in the design. It is painted on both sides. Include one in your holiday greeting cards for a sweet surprise. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_019$4.75 -
Angel In Pants Ornament
Size: 4 inches long
Our Angel in Pants ornament is unique as most angels wear a dress or robe! This angel is flying with an offering in her hands. It is brightly painted with a green shirt, blue pants, and gold wings. Handmade in Oaxaca. Hang one on your tree, or include one in your holiday cards for a sweet surprise!
SKU: TN-6_018$4.75 -
Angel Holding Star Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our Angel Holding Star Ornament is of a kneeling angel raising a star to the heavens. It is brightly painted in blue with red wings. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_021$4.75 -
Angel with Candle Ornament
SIZE: 3 inches wide
The Angel with Candle Ornament is a Mexican punched tin ornament, handmade in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_024$4.75 -
Poinsettia Ornament
Size: 5 inches wide
Our Poinsettia Ornament is bold in bright red in green. It is painted on both sides. Include one in your holiday greeting cards for a sweet surprise. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_025$5.50 -
Choir Angel Ornament
Size: 4.5 inches tall
Our Choir Angel Ornament is bright, shiny and cheerful. She is dressed in a colorful outfit and has gold-tipped wings. It is a fun addition to lift the holiday spirit. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_028$4.75 -
Blue Cat Angel Ornament
SIZE: 6 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide x 1.5 inches deep
Our blue cat angel ornament is one of a collection of three cat angels. This ornament is whimsical and fun. It features a 3-D design and is not flat. It is a great ornament of honor to a lost pet. Collect all three! Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_031$6.95 -
Gold Cat Angel Ornament
SIZE: 6 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide x 1.5 inches deep
Our Gold Cat Angel Ornament is one of a collection of three cat angels. This ornament is whimsical and fun. It features a 3-D design and is not flat. It is a great ornament of honor to a lost pet. Collect all three! Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_032$6.95 -
Santa Face Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our Santa Face Ornament is made of punched tin. It features a classic Santa face topped with his red cap. Made in Oaxaca, Mexico. Hang on on your holiday tree, or slip one into your Christmas greeting card.
SKU: TN-6_040$4.75 -
Snowman Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our Snowman Ornament is bright, shiny and cheerful. Our silver snowman is dressed in a colorful outfit and is holding a holly leaf. It is a fun addition to lift the holiday spirit. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_037$4.75 -
Santa Claus Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our Santa Claus Ornament features a busy Santa tipping his cap in greeting as he runs by. Dressed in his traditional Santa outfit. This bright and colorful ornament is painted on both sides. It makes a colorful and fun addition to your holiday decor. Handmade in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_038$4.75 -
Welcoming Angel Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our Welcoming Angel Ornament is pretty and colorful. It features an angel with outstretched, welcoming arms. She wears a multi-colored dress and has pink wings. Painted on both sides. Handmade in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_009$4.75 -
Angel in Blue Dress Ornament
Size: 4 inches wide
The Angel In Blue Dress Ornament is made of punched tin, Bright and shiny it is painted on both sides. Handmade in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_022$4.75 -
Angel with Rosary Beads Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall
Our Angel with Rosary Beads Ornament is painted on both sides. It is brightly painted with green and yellow. Hang this colorful angel on your tree, or slip one in your holiday greeting cards for a sweet surprise. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_043$4.75 -
Church with Mirror
Size: 5 inches tall
Our Church with Mirror features brightly colored details on a silver background. A mirror is centered in the church. The mirror can be replaced with a picture. It hangs on a wall or other flat surface. Handmade in Oaxaca
SKU: TN-7_015$4.95 -
Nativity Display Case
Size: 10 inches long x 6 inches wide x .25 inches thick
Our Nativity Display Case is quite unique! It is a tin case which opens to reveal a colorful nativity scene. Place it on a side table for a colorful display. It folds away for easy storage. Tin nativity scene is handmade by E. Carlos Valdez.
SKU: TN-1_033$35.99 -
Mirror Ornament
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 3.25 inches wide
This mirror ornament is rectangular with brightly painted detail. A loop is on the back of the mirror to either hang on a wall or on a tree. The mirror can be replaced with a photograph. Handcrafted in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-7_017$5.50 -
Lady of Guadalupe Ornament
Size: 5.5 inches tall x 3 inches wide x .75 inches deep
Lady of Guadalupe Ornament beautiful and unique. She is colored in a green shroud and pink dress. The figure is offset from a background of rays of light. Bright and colorful, it is handmade by the Aquino family tinsmiths in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-1_059$14.50 -
Lady of Guadalupe Ornament
Size: 5.5 inches tall x 3 inches wide x .75 inches deep
Lady of Guadalupe Ornament beautiful and unique. She is colored in a green shroud and red dress. The figure is offset from a background of rays of light. Bright and colorful, it is handmade by the Aquino family tinsmiths in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-1_058$14.50 -
Star of David Medallion
Size: 4 inches in diameter
Our Star Of David Medallion is large and very shiny. It features a blue Star of David centered on a silver medallion with a gold frame. It is painted on both sides. It will be a wonderful addition to your Hanukkah celebration! Handcrafted in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: RA-3_15$5.75 -
Yellow Angel Wall Plaque
Size: 14 inches tall x 11 inches wide
Yellow Angel Wall Plaque feature a bright yellow robe, blue ribbon, and silver wings. Handcrafted in Oaxaca. It is a beautiful and colorful addition to you holiday decor!
SKU: TN-6_044$18.50