Hearts & Heart Decor
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 Hearts & Heart Decor
This subcategory of Mexican tin art contains colorful tin heart ornaments and wall plaques. All are handmade in Oaxaca. First, we have the biggest selection of handmade Mexican tin hearts online. Our customers use them for wedding and shower decorations, Valentine’s Day keepsakes, clever dangling mobiles, and decorative wall decor.
Please take the time to browse our other tin products. We carry beautiful animal figures and birds. For example, our Day of Dead and Halloween tins make unique decorations for holiday festivities. We carry hundreds of Christmas and Hanukkah ornaments that will sparkle and shine, In addition to those, our Nicho frames are filled with images of the Saints, Frida Kahlo, Lady Guadalupe, and more. We also carry small decorative magnets. Use the drop-down menu above, under TIN ORNAMENTS & DECOR.
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, and 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 and 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 tinplate. The same degree of skill and passion the silversmiths put into their work can be found in the less opulent pieces made by tinsmiths. Most importantly, these pieces also have an alluring shine and 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 85–93 of 93 results
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Red Heart and Wings Wall Plaque
Size: 13.5 inches wide x 7 inches tall
The Red Heart and Wings Wall Plaque features a bright red heart. The heart bulges out from the gold frame that surrounds it. The wings are embossed for texture and is colored with gradients of white, gray and brown. A flame tops the heart. A loop is soldered on to the back. It is beautiful on any flat surface. The paint technique on this plaque is beautiful.
SKU: TN-2_115$50.00 -
Blue Heart Of Ascension Wall Plaque
Size: 13.5 inches wide x 7 inches tall
The Blue Heart Of Ascension Wall Plaque features a blue heart. The heart bulges out from the gold frame that surrounds it. The wings are embossed for texture and is colored with gradients of white, gray and brown. A flame tops the heart. A loop is soldered on to the back. It is beautiful on any flat surface. The paint technique on this plaque is beautiful.
SKU: TN-2_116$50.00 -
Heart With Angel Frame
Size: 6 inches tall x 4.5 inches wide
Our Heart with Angel Frame Ornament features punched tin art with embossed detail. The red heart is surrounded by a bright silver, flowered border. The back is all silver. An angel face with wings looks out from the top of the heart. Handmade in Oaxaca by Conrado Villages Alcázar.
SKU: TN-2_017$8.50 -
Red Heart With Angel Wings
Size: 9 inches long x 2.5 inches tall
Our Red Heart With Angel Wings Ornament features punched tin art with embossed detail. The red heart is surrounded by long silver angel wings. The back is all silver. Handmade in Oaxaca by Conrado Villages Alcázar.
SKU: TN-2_037$8.25 -
Heart With Blue Flame
Size: 6 inches tall x 3.75 inches wide
The Heart With Blue Flame features a red heart surrounded by an embossed silver frame and is topped by a blue flame. Superb craftsmanship on thin tin. Mexican tin heart decor, handmade in Oaxaca by Conrado Villegas Alcázar.
SKU: TN-2_044$7.75 -
Colorful Heart With Scrolls
Size: 5 inches tall x 3.75 inches wide
The Colorful Heart With Scrolls Ornament has a dark red heart and silver frame. The frame features a finely detailed handmade embossed design. The heart is surrounded by a gold frame, blue scrolls, and a delicate green outline. Painted on front side only. Mexican tin heart figure, hand-cut, embossed and painted by Conrado Villegas Alcázar.
SKU: TN-2_001$6.75 -
Red Heart with Straight Red Flame
Size: 6 inches tall x 4 inches wide
Our Red Heart with Straight Flame ornament features a red heart and red flame. The heart is has a bright silver border which is offset by a black frame with a scroll design. This striking ornament is a beautiful addition to your seasonal decor. Made by M.A.R.O.
SKU: TN-2_049$7.25 -
Sacred Heart with Darkened Sunflower
Size: 6 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide
Our Sacred Heart with Darkened Sunflower is a beautiful deep red color with a darkened tin frame and sunflower. The frame and sunflower are treated to look aged, and they are texturized. The heart is bowed out slightly from the frame. The back is unpainted and is a shiny silver. This ornament pairs nicely with the Flaming Heart with Sunflower Ornament.
SKU: TN-2_047$6.25 -
Heart With Red Leaves Ornament
Size: 5.75 inches tall x 4 inches wide
The Heart with Red Leaves Ornament features a bright red heart and leaves. The frame is a mix of shiny silver and slightly “aged” silver. An aged flower with shiny silver center is centered in the leaves. This ornament pairs nicely with the Heart With Flower Ornament.
SKU: TN-2_086$6.50