Vitrified ceramic candleholder · Agave

Mexican ceramic candleholder hand-formed by master Purépecha artisans in San José de Gracia, Michoacán. Inspired by the agave plant, each radiating leaf is individually shaped using the traditional pastillaje technique and high-temperature firing to create the glossy vidriado glaze. A unique piece in rich forest green that holds a single candle at its centre. 

The Craft. These candleholders are masterfully made using the pastillaje and vidriado techniques, where the skilled artisan moulds small pieces of clay with the fingertips and applies each one by one. The painstaking process can take weeks to complete, as each individual clay element must be formed by hand and carefully attached before high-temperature firing can create the vitrified, 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 16th century, helping indigenous communities modernise their craft while maintaining ancestral knowledge. The agave motif honours the deep connection between the people and the landscape of Mexico.

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.