Chuspata Trophy Piggy

A stout pig woven entirely from chuspata reed in Ihuatzio, Michoacán. Its generous form and expressive features are created solely through the manipulation of the weave, with no hidden armature beneath. A whimsical yet highly accomplished example of the sculptural basketry traditions of Lake Pátzcuaro.

Dimensions
11" L x 11" W x 9" D

About Chuspata Trophies
Woven in Ihuatzio on the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro, these remarkable animal forms are made entirely from chuspata, an aquatic reed harvested from the shallow waters of the lake. Long used throughout the region for basketry and utilitarian objects, the material is transformed here into sculptural forms unique to this small weaving community.

What makes these pieces extraordinary is their construction. Each trophy is created entirely through the weaving itself, with no wire, wood, or hidden armature beneath the surface. Every curve, horn, ear, and contour is formed solely by the skill of the maker and the structure of the weave.

Produced in very limited numbers and found almost nowhere outside the region, these works exist somewhere between basketry, sculpture, and folk art. Their quiet presence and remarkable craftsmanship reflect one of the most distinctive traditions of the Lake Pátzcuaro basin.

Domingo de Ramos — Market Find
The Domingo de Ramos tianguis in Uruapan, Michoacán is one of Mexico’s most celebrated popular art markets. These pieces were not entered in competition — they were found by Raul Cabra, curator and founder of La Embajada, through direct conversation with the makers. Chosen not just for the object, but for the person behind it.

About Handmade Pieces
Crafted by hand using techniques passed down through generations of master artisans. Variations in color, texture, and finish are inherent to the process — each piece is, by nature, one of a kind.