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 29–56 of 72 results
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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 -
Red Angel Wall Plaque
Size: 14 inches tall x 11 inches wide
Red Angel Wall Plaque is a gleaming tin angel wearing a red dress. It has silver wings. Colors of the hair, halo, and ribbon may vary. Handmade in Oaxaca by Tomás Santiago. It is a beautiful addition to your holiday decor!
SKU: TN-6_046$18.50 -
Silver Star of David Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our Silver Star Of David Ornament is made of punched tin. It features a star-shaped silver ornament. A silver Star Of David is painted along its border. A smaller Star Of David is centered in the ornament. Made by Artesanías De Hojalata Corazón Magico tinsmiths in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: RA-3_08$4.75 -
Choir Angel Magnet
Size: 2.25 inches tall
Choir Angel Magnet features a bright and shiny angel with choir book. It is painted in bright colors of red, green and yellow. Perfect as a stocking stuffer or party favor! Handmade in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-9_04$4.25 -
Divine Light Sacred Heart Ornament
Size: 4.5 inches wide x 5.5 inches tall
Our Divine Light Sacred Heart ornament is painted in bright red and yellow. The rays are left unpainted and glossed for a shiny silver finish. It is a beautiful addition to your holiday decor. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: RA-3_12$4.75 -
Pink Kneeling Angel Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our pink kneeling angel ornament is painted on both sides. It features a kneeling angel holding a candle. The angel has blue wings and is wearing a pink gown. Hammered tin angel handcrafted in Oaxaca by Artesanías De Hojalata Corazón Magico.
SKU: TN-6_045$4.75 -
Blue Kneeling Angel Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our blue kneeling angel ornament is painted on both sides. It features a kneeling angel holding a candle. The angel has pink wings and is wearing a blue gown. Hammered tin angel handcrafted in Oaxaca byArtesanías De Hojalata Corazón Magico.
SKU: TN-6_048$4.75 -
Green Kneeling Angel Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our green kneeling angel ornament is painted on both sides. It features a kneeling angel holding a candle. The angel has red wings and is wearing a green gown. Hammered tin angel handcrafted in Oaxaca by Artesanías De Hojalata Corazón Magico.
SKU: TN-6_047$4.75 -
Red Kneeling Angel Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
Our red kneeling angel ornament is painted on both sides. It features a kneeling angel holding a candle. The angel has green wings and is wearing a red gown. Hammered tin angel handcrafted in Oaxaca by Artesanías De Hojalata Corazón Magico.
SKU: TN-6_049$4.75 -
Angel In Green Gown Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall
This Angel In Green Gown Ornament is playing her mandolin. Features a green gown, red wings, and red mandolin. Painted on both sides it is a shiny and colorful addition to your holiday decor. Handcrafted by Artesanías De Hojalata Corazón Magico in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: TN-6_052$4.75 -
Red Star of David Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall and wide
Our Red Star Of David Ornament is made of punched tin. It features a star-shaped silver ornament. A red Star Of David is painted along its border. A smaller Star Of David is centered in the ornament.
SKU: REAER: RA-3_13$4.75 -
Blue Star of David Medallion
Size: 4 inches in diameter
Our Blue Star Of David Medallion is large and very shiny. It features a blue Star of David centered on a silver medallion with a blue frame. It is painted on both sides. It will be a wonderful addition to your Hanukkah celebration! Handcrafted in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: RA-3_14$5.75 -
Red Star of David Medallion
Size: 4 inches in diameter
Our Red Star Of David Medallion is large and very shiny. It features a red Star of David centered on a silver medallion with a blue frame. It is painted on both sides. It will be a wonderful addition to your Hanukkah celebration! Handcrafted in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: RA-3_16$5.75 -
Angel Face And Wings Ornament
Size: 5.5 inches wide
Angel face and wings ornament is painted in brilliant colors on both sides. It features a smiling angel face with large wings. Color combinations may vary a bit from picture. Handcrafted in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: TN-6_056$4.75 -
Angel Flying With Horn
Size: 5.5 inches long
Our Flying Angel With Horn is painted on both sides. It features a red gown, blue wings, and a pink horn. Hang on your Christmas tree or enclose in your greeting cards. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_058$4.75 -
Blue Snowflake Ornament
Size: 4 inches in diameter
Blue Snowflake Ornament is a sparkly, flat snowflake. It very shiny and will be a wonderful addition to your holiday decor. Send one in a holiday card to surprise a friend. Handcrafted in Oaxaca by Corazon Mágico.
SKU: TN-6_063$4.75 -
Christmas Bells Ornament
Size: 4 inches wide
Christmas Bells Ornament is made of punched tin and painted on both sides. It features bright, shiny colors of red, gold and blue. Handmade in Oaxaca by Corazon Mágico.
SKU: TN-6_059$5.25 -
Red Christmas Tree Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall
Red Christmas Tree ornament is made of punched tin. It features a bright red tree topped with a gold star. Made in Oaxaca by Carozon Magico, in Mexico. Hang on on your holiday tree, or slip one into your Christmas greeting card.
SKU: TN-6_061$4.75 -
Christmas Ball Ornament
Size: 4 inches wide
This Christmas Ball Ornament is formed in the shape of traditional glass tree ornament. It is delicately painted with a pink border and red flower in the center. The unpainted silver ball is textured and very shiny. Created by local artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico. Sold by Viva Oaxaca Folk Art.
SKU: TN-6_060$4.95 -
Lion Of Judah Ornament
Size: 6 inches long x 4 inches tall
Lion of Judah Ornament is painted gold on the front side. It is embossed for texture and given a clear glossy coat for shine. Mexican tin art handcrafted by Corazon Magico.
SKU: RA-3_18$5.25 -
Angel In Yellow Gown With Mandolin
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 3 inches wide
This angel in yellow gown ornament is playing her mandolin. Features a yellow gown, pink wings, and red mandolin. Painted on both sides it is a shiny and colorful addition to your holiday decor. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_051$4.75 -
Christmas Wreath Tin Box
Size: 6.5 inches long x 5 inches wide x 1.25 inches deep
Christmas Wreath Tin Box, is embossed and painted by hand. Unpainted on all sides, the brightly painted Christmas wreath and candle design is the feature on this box. Handcrafted in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-1_071$18.95 -
Angel In Red Gown With Mandolin
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 3 inches wide
This angel in red gown ornament is playing her mandolin. Features a red gown, green wings, and blue mandolin. painted on both sides it is a shiny and colorful addition to your holiday decor. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_054$4.75 -
Flying Angel With Horn
Size: 5.5 inches long
Our Flying Angel With Horn is painted on both sides. It features a blue gown, pink wings, and a gold horn. Hang on your Christmas tree or enclose in your greeting cards. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_055$4.75