Mexican Glazed Terracotta Candlestick

Large Mexican glazed terracotta candlestick representing the tree of life, with 5 arms decorated with beautiful warm colors, attributed to Alfonso Soteno.

The Soteno family of Metepec is one of the main families of ceramic artisans specializing in the sculptures called "Tree of Life" that have made the city located in the state of Mexico one of the main ceramic centers of Mexico.
The tree of life is a complicated colored sculpture that is developed from the creation of candlesticks. 

Period: XXth century
Dimensions : Height : 55,5cm x Width : 43cm - Diameter of the base : 16cm

The creation of trees of life is part of the tradition of the crafts of the central Mexican region. 
The clay ceramics of figurines appeared in this locality from 1 800 to 1 300 B.C. and their coloring began later. Around the year 800, many ceramic objects adopted religious symbolism as a result of the influence of Teotihuacan.
However, just after the Spanish conquest, the monks decided to destroy all the objects that represented the ancient gods and replaced them with images of saints and Christian iconography: a new form of evangelization of the native population.

It is believed that the decorative clay pieces known as Arboles de la Vida were created from the ceremonial candelabras and incense burners made by the artisans of Izucar de Matamoros in the state of Puebla. The design was inspired by the bronze and silver pieces brought by the Spanish friars during the conquest to be used in the church. Over time, the clay replicas became colorful and finely decorated pieces with flowers, leaves and animals on their branches. Adam, Eve and the serpent usually appear on the main trunk and the archangel Gabriel appears at the base.