Southwest Themed
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 Southwest Themed
In this section of our Mexican tin art collection, we offer hand-tooled, flat ornaments with a Southwest theme — cacti, chiles, sunflowers, piñatas, coyboy boots, even Our Lady of Guadalupe — all handmade in Oaxaca. Use them as Christmas tree decorations, hang them in a collage on the wall, include them in your greeting cards. or use them as unique and colorful gift box ties. They are colorful and cheerful, so have some fun with them.
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 29–48 of 48 results
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Strawberry Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall x 3 inches wide
This strawberry ornament is bright red with black seeds and green crown. It is painted on the front side, the back side is left unpainted and is a reflective silver color. Handcrafted in Oaxaca, Mexico. Bright and shiny it’s a festive party favor and will be a beautiful addition to your springtime decor!
SKU: TN-5_008$4.75 -
Four Leaf Clover Ornament
Size: 3.5 inches tall x 4 inches wide
This four leaf clover ornament features dark green leaves with a lighter green border. It is painted on both sides. Handcrafted in Oaxaca, Mexico. Bright and shiny it’s a festive party favor and will be a lucky addition to your springtime decor!
SKU: TN-5_022$4.75 -
Yellow Flower Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall and wide.
This yellow flower ornament features bright yellow petals with a green border and orange center. 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 cheery addition to your springtime decor!
SKU: TN-5_041$4.75 -
Carrot Bunch Wall Art
Size: 13 inches tall x 6 inches wide
The Carrot Bunch Wall Art is unique. It is made of tin and light weight. Painted in orange and two shades of green that reflect light well. The tin is texturized and has a slight curve to stand out on a flat surface. Painted on one side, the back side is a shiny reflective silver. This is a large piece will add a pop of color to a white or black kitchen! It’s a great gift for your vegetarian friend too!
SKU: TN-5_042$9.50 -
Chili Pepper Wall Art
Size: 10.5 inches tall by 7.5 inches wide
The Chili Pepper Wall Art is unique. It is made of tin and light weight. Painted in orange, red, green, and gold. It is shiny and reflects light well. The tin is texturized and has a slight curve to stand out on a flat surface. Painted on one side, the back side is a shiny reflective silver. This is a large piece will add a pop of color to a white or black kitchen! It’s a great gift for your vegetarian friend too!
SKU: TN-5_043$15.00 -
Green Chili Peppers Wall Art
Size: 10.5 inches tall by 7.5 inches wide
The Green Chili Peppers Wall Art is unique. It is made of tin and light weight. The green peppers are highlighted by an orange stem, gold leaves, and red pepper caps. It is shiny and reflects light well. The tin is texturized and has a slight curve to stand out on a flat surface. Painted on one side, the back side is a shiny reflective silver. This is a large piece will add a pop of color to your kitchen! It’s a great gift for your Mexican cuisine enthusiast, too!
SKU: TN-5_044$15.00 -
Red Chili Peppers Wall Art
Size: 10.5 inches tall by 7.5 inches wide
The Red Chili Peppers Wall Art is unique. It is made of tin and light weight. The red peppers are highlighted by a purple stem, green and gold leaves, and green pepper caps. It is shiny and reflects light well. The tin is texturized and has a slight curve to stand out on a flat surface. Painted on one side, the back side is a shiny reflective silver. This is a large piece will add a pop of color to your kitchen! It’s a great gift for your Mexican cuisine enthusiast, too!
SKU: TN-5_045$15.00 -
Cactus Ornament
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 2.5 inches wide
The Cactus Ornament is a Mexican punched tin ornament. It is painted bright green on both sides and features red flower accents. Makes a great Southwestern decorative accent.
SKU: TN-5_017$4.75 -
Lemon Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall x 2.75 inches wide
The Lemon Ornament is painted on both sides. The embossed tin is painted yellow with green, white, and brown accents.
SKU: TN-5_046$4.75 -
Lime Ornament
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 3 inches wide
The Lime Ornament is painted on both sides. The embossed tin is painted green with white, and yellow accents.
SKU: TN-5_047$4.75 -
Carrots Ornament
Size: 5.5 inches tall x 2.25 inches wide
The Carrots Ornament is painted on both sides. The embossed tin is painted in orange and green.
SKU: TN-5_048$4.75 -
Cactus Ornament
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide
The Cactus Ornament is painted on both sides. The embossed tin is painted a dark green, It features red and gold flowers and a bronze colored base. This is very shiny. Made in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: TN-3_02$4.75 -
Grape Bunch Ornament
Size: 4 inches tall x 3 inches wide
The Grape Bunch Ornament is made of embossed tin and is painted on both sides. The dark purple grapes are topped with leaves in two hues of green. It is very shiny. Made in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: TN-5_24$4.75 -
Eggplant Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall x 2 inches wide
The Eggplant Ornament is painted on both sides. The deep purple eggplant is topped with a green stem and leaves. It is very shiny. Made in Oaxaca.
SKU: TN-5_049$4.75 -
Corn Ornament
Size: 5 inches tall x 3 inches wide
The Corn Ornament is painted on both sides. The Yellow corn peeks out from green leaves atop a brown stem. The embossed tin defines the corn kernels and leaves. Made in Oaxaca, Mexico.
SKU: TN-5_050$4.75 -
Red Chili Pepper Ornament
Size: 6 inches tall x 2.5 inches wide
This Red Chili Pepper Ornament is colored on both sides. It is colored a bright red with gold leaves and bronze stem. The embossed tin provides texture. This large ornament is very eye catching.
SKU: TN-5_051$5.00 -
Butterfly Wall Plaque, Pure Copper
Size: 3.5 inches tall x 5 inches wide
The Butterfly Wall Plaque is handmade of pure copper by the Aquino Family in Oaxaca. It measures 5 inches wide and has loop on back for hanging on wall.
SKU: TN-5_024$12.00 -
Route 66, Copper Ornament
Copper ornament, embossed by hand in Oaxaca, Mexico
Copper road sign ornament measures 3.5 inches tall by 3 inches wide.
SKU: TN-5_019$12.00 -
Gold Chili Ornament
Size: 6.5 inches tall x 2 inches wide
The Gold Chili Ornament is a deep red color. Leaf color may vary between red and green. Painted on both sides.
SKU: TN-5_054$5.00 -
Red Chile Pepper with Gold Leaves
Size: 6.5 inches tall x 2 inches wide
The Red Chile Pepper with Gold Leaves is painted on both sides. It is colored a deep red with gold leaves and a green stem.
SKU: TN-5_002$5.00