Mexican Purépecha ceramic candelabra · Crimson red

Mexican Purépecha ceramic candelabra hand-crafted by master artisan in Michoacán. Rising 47 cm from a sturdy pedestal base, the architectural form holds three candles and is entirely covered in elote (corn) pastillaje appliqué - hundreds of individually hand-formed clay pieces applied one by one, inspired by the sacred corn of Mesoamerican culture. Finished in a glossy crimson red vidriado glaze, the textured surface transforms candlelight into a ceremonial experience. A genuine statement piece.

The Craft. These candleholders are masterfully made using the pastillaje and vidriado techniques, where the skilled artisan moulds hundreds of small pieces of clay with the fingertips and applies them one by one. The painstaking process can take weeks to complete, as each individual clay element must be hand-formed and carefully attached before high-temperature firing creates the glass-like appearance. The result is a tactile surface that transforms candlelight into a ceremonial experience, with the glossy glaze amplifying every ridge and curve.

The Heritage. The richness of local crafts in the Purépecha-inhabited area of southwestern Mexico, now known as Michoacán, has been a source of pride since pre-Hispanic times, encouraging a way of living and perpetuating indigenous culture. New techniques such as glazing and high-firing kilns were introduced by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century, helping indigenous communities modernise their craft while maintaining ancestral knowledge. The corn motif honours the deep spiritual significance of this sacred plant in Mesoamerican culture.

The Maker. A master artisan of Purépecha descent, Pedro Hernández Carlos lives and works in the famous pottery town of San José de Gracia in Michoacán. Set on perpetuating his family traditions and values, Pedro creates incessantly in his workshop together with his wife Isabel, taking inspiration from the natural world surrounding him. He is the recipient of numerous prizes and in 2008, he co-founded Tsitski Museo Comunitario, located at his home.