Set of Six Burnished Clay Xoloitzcuintles from Zipiajo

A set of six hand-formed Xoloitzcuintles in burnished clay from San Pedro Zipiajo, Michoacán, each shaped with elongated bodies, exaggerated ears, and subtly distinct expressions. Finished in warm earthen tones with smoke-darkened markings, the surfaces retain the tonal variation and irregularities of hand forming and firing, giving each figure an individual character.

Grouped together, the six read almost like a procession — playful yet watchful, informal yet sculptural. Their expressive silhouettes and quiet asymmetry give the collection a strong presence whether displayed together or dispersed throughout an interior.

Dimensions
14" L x 10" W x 20" H

About Burnished Clay from Zipiajo
The burnished clay traditions of San Pedro Zipiajo, Michoacán are rooted in hand-forming, smoke firing, and expressive figuration. Known for warm earthen surfaces and darkened tonal variation created through firing, pottery from the region often carries a directness and individuality that resists uniformity. The Xoloitzcuintle, Mexico's hairless dog, has occupied a singular place in Mesoamerican material culture for centuries — long associated with companionship, protection, and the journey between worlds. In Michoacán, contemporary makers continue to reinterpret the form through local ceramic traditions, balancing ancestral reference with humor and personality.

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.