Nahuales

The Nahual is the alter ego of our souls, born at the same time as we are. Half human, half animal, they protect and nurture us through our lives. A Nahual figure in burnished clay from Zipiajo, Michoacán — one of five unique pieces in this juried collection. Raw, whimsical, and deeply expressive, each piece is hand-modeled without molds or wheels and fired in wood kilns. Award Winner: 1st Prize 2026.

Dimensions
14" L x 7" W x 8" H

About Clay from Zipiajo
The clay figures of Zipiajo are made by a community of women who source their own clay from the surrounding land, model each piece entirely by hand, and fire in wood kilns built in their homes. With many of the community's men having migrated to the United States for work, these women have built a practice that is both an economic foundation and a living art form — raw, whimsical, and entirely their own.

Domingo de Ramos — Juried Selection
The Domingo de Ramos tianguis in Uruapan, Michoacán is one of Mexico's most celebrated popular art markets, and home to an annual juried competition hosted by Casa de la Cultura. Each piece in this collection was recognized for exceptional craftsmanship and selected by Raul Cabra, curator and founder of La Embajada.

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.