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 57–72 of 72 results
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Angel With Mandolin In Blue Gown
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 3 inches wide
This angel with mandolin is wearing a blue gown and has pink angel wings. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_065$4.75 -
Sale!
Pink Lady of Guadalupe Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall x 2.25 inches wide
Our Pink Lady of Guadalupe Ornament features a pink dress and blue robe. Yellow rays of light surround the lady. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-1_072$3.00 -
Sale!
Red Lady of Guadalupe Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall x 2.25 inches wide
Our Red Lady of Guadalupe Ornament features a red dress and green robe. Yellow rays of light surround the lady. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-1_073$3.00 -
Sale!
Lady of Guadalupe Ornament in Pink & Green
Size: 3.5 inches tall
Our Lady of Guadalupe Ornament is painted in bright pink, green, and gold. painted on the front side, the back side is unpainted and a shiny silver. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-1_074$3.00 -
White Dreidel Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide
Our white dreidel ornament is painted on the front side in a shiny white. It features a bright blue Shin symbol. Hand-crafted in Oaxaca. Hang it up, or include as a sweet gift in your greeting cards. Handmade in Oaxaca by Corazón Magico.
SKU: TN-6_068$5.25 -
Blue Dreidel Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide
Our blue dreidel ornament is painted on the front side in a shiny blue. It features a gold Nun symbol. Hand-crafted in Oaxaca. Hang it up or include it as a sweet gift in your greeting cards. Handmade in Oaxaca by Corazón Magico.
SKU: TN-6_069$5.25 -
Christmas Bell Ornament
Size: 3.5 inches tall and wide
Christmas Bell Ornament made of punched tin and is painted on both sides. It features a bright multi-colored design on the bell and its topped with a purple and pink bow. Handmade in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-6_008$5.25 -
Peace Dove Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall x 5.5 inches wide
This Peace Dove Ornament features a white dove in flight carrying a green olive branch in its yellow beak. Made of punched tin, It is painted on the front side and the back is unpainted and is a reflective silver. Handcrafted in Oaxaca, Mexico. Bright and shiny it’s a beautiful addition to your Christmas or Hanukkah decor.
SKU: RA-3_17$5.50 -
Cupid’s Arrow Heart Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall x 4 inches wide
Cupid’s Arrow Heart Ornament features a heart painted a deep red. It has a decorative embossed silver border with a silver arrow through the heart. It is topped with a silver cross. Handmade in Oaxaca by Conrado Villegas Alcazar.
SKU: TN-2_072$7.75 -
Medallones Con Angeles
Size: 6 1/2 inches tall by 6 inches wide
Th Medallones Con Angeles is a hand-crafted tin medallion of angels and hearts. May be used as a small wall plaque or as a large ornament. Handmade tin plaque by Conrado Villegas Alcazar.
SKU: TN-6_029$18.00 -
Nativity Boxed Set
Size: 4 inches long x 2.75 inches wide x 1.75 inches tall
The Nativity Boxed Set includdes 10 nativity figures. The figure sizes vary. The decorative tin box lid will have one of two designs: an angel or a shooting star. The color combinations will vary, but all are beautiful. Made in San Miguel De Allende by Juan Pastor Zamora.
SKU: TN-1_075$22.00 -
Embossed Angel, Left Facing
Size: 6.5 inches long
Our Embossed Angel Ornament features a left facing angel with a horn. It is unpainted and heavily embossed for design and texture. It is given a clear glossy coat for shine. Use it as a large Christmas tree ornament, or hang it on a wall or other flat surface. Just beautiful. Mexican punched tin ornament, handmade in Oaxaca by Conrado Villegas.
SKU: TN-6_066$12.50 -
Winter Flower Ornament
Size: 4 inches across
The Winter Flower Ornament is a made of Mexican punched tin. Handmade in Oaxaca. Painted on both sides.
SKU: TN-6_005$5.25 -
Lady of Guadalupe Wall Decor
Size: 8 inches tall x 5 inches wide x .5 inches deep
The Lady of Guadalupe Wall Decor is a large, colorful, 3-D ornament. The brightly colored gown and shroud are set off by a shiny gold frame. The Lady is offset from the frame about a half inch. A cut-out is made in the gold tin frame, hidden behind the head. This will look beautiful hanging on a wall, or other flat surface. It will also be a standout on the outer edge of the branches of your holiday tree. The colors vary as shown in the pictures. If you have a preference, make a note of it when you order. Made by Artesanias Garcia.
SKU: TN-6_004$15.50 -
Cat Angel Ornament
Size: 4 inches long
This Cat Angel Ornament is painted on both sides and features a black cat with white angel wings. It is a perfect gift or ornament to honor a lost pet.
SKU: TN-3_030$4.75 -
Candle With Flower Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide
The Candle With Flower Ornament is painted on both sides. A single candle tops a red pointsettia with green leaves. The candle colors vary as shown.
SKU: TN-6_007$4.75