Mexican Tree of Life Ceramic Candle Holder – 5 Candles | Vintage
A lavish Mexican Árbol de la Vida – a colorful Tree of Life crafted as a sculptural candle holder with five candle cups.
This impressive handmade candle holder is a vibrant example of Mexican folk art, where the organic forms of the pottery meet a wealth of hand-modeled and hand-painted details. Among the sweeping branches, one finds small birds, flowers, leaves, and fruit-like ornaments, as well as the characteristic mermaids perched among the boughs.
The color palette is intense and vivid, featuring cobalt blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, and cream, while the many fine details are mounted on thin metal wires, giving the work a distinct three-dimensional depth. The original hand-painted inscription “MEXICO.” is preserved on the base.
Selected with a focus on colorful craftsmanship, cultural history, and decorative works with a strong personality.
History & context — read more ▾
Árbol de la Vida means “Tree of Life” in Spanish and refers to a traditional form of Mexican pottery and folk art. The tradition is particularly associated with central Mexico, including Metepec in the State of Mexico and Izúcar de Matamoros in Puebla.
Early Trees of Life often drew upon Christian creation stories, but over time the tradition has evolved into a much broader and more whimsical visual universe featuring animals, plants, people, and imaginative figures. The mermaid – la sirena – is a well-known motif in Mexican folk art and appears in, among other things, the traditional Mexican Lotería imagery.
About the designer — read more ▾
The artist or the specific workshop behind this candle holder has not been identified. It is executed in the traditional Mexican folk art style, where clay is shaped, fired, and subsequently decorated with hand-painted motifs.
The distinctive feature of this version is the very rich decoration with mermaids, birds, flowers, and natural motifs, as well as the many small elements mounted on fine metal wires. This gives the work an almost theatrical and sculptural expression.
Details
Type: Árbol de la Vida candle holder / candelabra
Manufacturer: Unknown, Mexico
Material: Hand-modeled and hand-painted ceramic/clay
Five candle cups · polychrome hand-painting · mermaids, birds, flowers, and natural motifs · hand-painted “MEXICO.” on the base
Dimensions
Height: 55 cm
Width: 49 cm
Depth: Not measured
Condition
The candle holder presents with the natural patina and traces of craftsmanship and use that accompany an older handmade piece. The tip of the beak on one of the birds is broken off, and there is a small chip in one of the flowers. Minor variations, irregularities, and age-related traces may occur in the ceramic, paint, and many small decorative elements. The fine metal wires and small figures make the piece fragile and it should be handled with care.
We always describe the condition as accurately as possible and the pictures are part of the description.
Minor signs of use and patina are a natural part of vintage items and contribute to their character and authenticity.
Please contact us for further information or additional pictures.
We offer delivery throughout Denmark.
Smaller items are sent by freight, while larger furniture is individually priced depending on size and delivery address.
Please contact us for a freight estimate, or read more here:
Read more about delivery & collection →
Collection in Stege is also possible by appointment.
We recommend gentle cleaning and care adapted to the material.
Avoid harsh chemicals to preserve the surface and patina.
→ See our guide to vintage furniture care
All items at NITUSH are hand-picked vintage finds. Items are pre-owned or vintage, unless otherwise stated.
Minor patina and signs of wear are a natural part of the item's history.
We strive to describe and display all items as accurately as possible – the pictures are therefore an important part of the description and should be reviewed carefully.
As many items are unique finds, exchanges are generally not offered.
Colors may be perceived differently depending on screen and lighting conditions, and may therefore deviate slightly from what is shown.
If you have any questions about the item, please do not hesitate to contact us.
A lavish Mexican Árbol de la Vida – a colorful Tree of Life crafted as a sculptural candle holder with five candle cups.
This impressive handmade candle holder is a vibrant example of Mexican folk art, where the organic forms of the pottery meet a wealth of hand-modeled and hand-painted details. Among the sweeping branches, one finds small birds, flowers, leaves, and fruit-like ornaments, as well as the characteristic mermaids perched among the boughs.
The color palette is intense and vivid, featuring cobalt blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, and cream, while the many fine details are mounted on thin metal wires, giving the work a distinct three-dimensional depth. The original hand-painted inscription “MEXICO.” is preserved on the base.
Selected with a focus on colorful craftsmanship, cultural history, and decorative works with a strong personality.
History & context — read more ▾
Árbol de la Vida means “Tree of Life” in Spanish and refers to a traditional form of Mexican pottery and folk art. The tradition is particularly associated with central Mexico, including Metepec in the State of Mexico and Izúcar de Matamoros in Puebla.
Early Trees of Life often drew upon Christian creation stories, but over time the tradition has evolved into a much broader and more whimsical visual universe featuring animals, plants, people, and imaginative figures. The mermaid – la sirena – is a well-known motif in Mexican folk art and appears in, among other things, the traditional Mexican Lotería imagery.
About the designer — read more ▾
The artist or the specific workshop behind this candle holder has not been identified. It is executed in the traditional Mexican folk art style, where clay is shaped, fired, and subsequently decorated with hand-painted motifs.
The distinctive feature of this version is the very rich decoration with mermaids, birds, flowers, and natural motifs, as well as the many small elements mounted on fine metal wires. This gives the work an almost theatrical and sculptural expression.
Details
Type: Árbol de la Vida candle holder / candelabra
Manufacturer: Unknown, Mexico
Material: Hand-modeled and hand-painted ceramic/clay
Five candle cups · polychrome hand-painting · mermaids, birds, flowers, and natural motifs · hand-painted “MEXICO.” on the base
Dimensions
Height: 55 cm
Width: 49 cm
Depth: Not measured
Condition
The candle holder presents with the natural patina and traces of craftsmanship and use that accompany an older handmade piece. The tip of the beak on one of the birds is broken off, and there is a small chip in one of the flowers. Minor variations, irregularities, and age-related traces may occur in the ceramic, paint, and many small decorative elements. The fine metal wires and small figures make the piece fragile and it should be handled with care.
We always describe the condition as accurately as possible and the pictures are part of the description.
Minor signs of use and patina are a natural part of vintage items and contribute to their character and authenticity.
Please contact us for further information or additional pictures.
We offer delivery throughout Denmark.
Smaller items are sent by freight, while larger furniture is individually priced depending on size and delivery address.
Please contact us for a freight estimate, or read more here:
Read more about delivery & collection →
Collection in Stege is also possible by appointment.
We recommend gentle cleaning and care adapted to the material.
Avoid harsh chemicals to preserve the surface and patina.
→ See our guide to vintage furniture care
All items at NITUSH are hand-picked vintage finds. Items are pre-owned or vintage, unless otherwise stated.
Minor patina and signs of wear are a natural part of the item's history.
We strive to describe and display all items as accurately as possible – the pictures are therefore an important part of the description and should be reviewed carefully.
As many items are unique finds, exchanges are generally not offered.
Colors may be perceived differently depending on screen and lighting conditions, and may therefore deviate slightly from what is shown.
If you have any questions about the item, please do not hesitate to contact us.