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Angel Ceron Artisan Association

Angel Ceron Artisan Association

5.0

"Now that I'm retired, I can dedicate my time to my great passion – representing my pre-Hispanic cultural heritage."

UpdateSadly, we lost Angel Ceron to cancer in 2022, at the age of 69. The master artisans with whom he worked closely... Update

Sadly, we lost Angel Ceron to cancer in 2022, at the age of 69. The master artisans with whom he worked closely (Angel names them each below) today continue his impressive work, upholding his legacy as the Angel Ceron Artisan Association.

Previous Update

"I've been working hand-in-hand with you since 2003. It was my nephew, Eduardo Escamilla, who suggested this, and I found the project to be spectacular. As you may know, I'm an engineer by profession but I feel an overwhelming passion for our pre-Hispanic cultures. This is what led me to create my own representations of the deities from our past. This has been a process in which, together with my family, we've continuously perfected our designs and this is also because I love perfection.

"Thanks to all of you, I was able to become more independent and offer work to more families who assist me. Together with my nephew Eduardo, I've increased the number of designs so that our collection shows a wide range of sculptures.

"One of the most significant challenges I've had to face was my battle with cancer. Unfortunately, it's come back even more intensely, but every member of my family has always been with me. Sadly, my cancer is terminal now, and my family is always by my side.

"Today, my health prevents me from looking after each detail of my work, as I always used to. But the artisans who assist me in the workshop are some of the finest talents in Mexico."

The Angel Ceron Artisan Association is composed of Milton González, Emilio Espejel, Brian Gonzalez, Isaac Espejel, Adrian Gonzalez, Josefina Claudio, Jorge Esparza, Saul Landon, Mauricio Hernandez, Guadalupe Lopez, Magdalena Torres, and Erick Contreras. Everyone is charged with a type of sculpture and specializes in a particular technique.

Original Artisan Story

Angel Cerón comes from a family with generations of artisan experience. He learned the family ceramic techniques from his father, Antonio Cerón Orta, a renowned artisan. Angel began a long study of Mexico's pre-Hispanic cultures and learned the Nahuatl language spoken in ancient Mesoamerica.

First the proper materials must be acquired. Cerón uses clay from northern Oaxaca state, the only clay of this kind in Mexico and perhaps in the world. The unique characteristics of this yellow clay make it ideal for molding. It dries evenly and is especially hard, thus it is resistant to impact and can withstand very high temperatures.

The clay is ground in a mill, deposited in tubs of water and stirred constantly until it acquires a homogeneous consistency. This step can take hours. Left to stand for three days, it remains a thick liquid. Cerón strains it and lets it repose one more day, although during the winter this is hard work, performed in the open air. The blocks are divided into smaller portions and dried in the sun for several hours. Only a qualified artisan can determine when the clay has reached the proper consistency. Then it is kneaded by hand, much as one kneads bread dough, and again it is the skilled artisan who can tell when it is ready to be worked.

Cerón then begins to shape his sculptures, some more complex than others. The details are created totally by hand and some figures are so complicated that they are absolutely unique or part of limited editions. Each piece is modeled by hand and the artisan's talent is a crucial factor.

Once shaped, the sculptures dry as long as needed, some for as long as a week. They must dry in the shade because the clay might split and crack in the sun. Once dry, they are adorned with mineral pigments and high-fired at temperatures of up to 2,327º F for eight to twelve hours, depending on the season (the kilns are located outdoors). After firing, the pieces need to stand for six hours, cooling gradually.

Finally, they receive a bath of earth to give them their unique antique effect, which features slight cracks.

Now that I'm retired, I can dedicate my time to my great passion – representing my pre-Hispanic cultural heritage, Cerón says.

Ceramic figurine, 'Tlaloc' - Ceramic Figurine of an Aztec God from Mexico

Tlaloc, Ceramic Figurine of an Aztec God from Mexico

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$69.00

Ceramic mask, 'Jaguar Warrior' - Aztec Jaguar Warrior Mask

Jaguar Warrior, Aztec Jaguar Warrior Mask

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$77.00

Ceramic decorative vase, 'Maya Urn' - Hand-Painted Folk Art Maya Ceramic Decorative Vase

Maya Urn, Hand-Painted Folk Art Maya Ceramic Decorative Vase

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$119.00

Ceramic mask, 'Maya Totem' - Maya-Themed Ceramic Wall Mask Crafted in Mexico

Maya Totem, Maya-Themed Ceramic Wall Mask Crafted in Mexico

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$109.00

Ceramic statuette, 'Goddess Chalchiuhtlicue' - Replica Ceramic Aztec Statuette

The Goddess of the Waters, Replica Ceramic Aztec Statuette

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$69.00

Ceramic sculpture, 'Playful Xoloitzcuintli' - Ceramic sculpture

Playful Xoloitzcuintli, Ceramic sculpture

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$59.00

Ceramic sculpture, 'Aztec Deities' - Signed Ceramic Aztec Sculpture from Mexico

Aztec Deities, Signed Ceramic Aztec Sculpture from Mexico

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$599.00

Ceramic mask, 'Honoring Death' - Ceramic Mexican Aztec Mask with Skulls

Honoring Death, Ceramic Mexican Aztec Mask with Skulls

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$79.00

Ceramic statuettes, 'Coyote Battalion' (pair) - Ceramic Aztec Wild Dog Statue Set

Aztec Howlers, Ceramic Aztec Wild Dog Statue Set

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$37.00

Ceramic plaque, 'Maya Jaguar Priest' - Maya Jaguar Priest Plaque in Ceramic

Maya Jaguar Priest, Maya Jaguar Priest Plaque in Ceramic

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$64.00

Ceramic incense holder, 'Eagle Omen' - Handcrafted Ceramic Incense Holder from Mexico

Eagle Omen, Handcrafted Ceramic Incense Holder from Mexico

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$94.00

Ceramic plaque, 'Aztec Calendar in Tan' - Mexican Ceramic Sun Stone

Sun Glory, Mexican Ceramic Sun Stone

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$49.00

Ceramic mask, 'Three Ages of Man' - Aztec Archaeological Ceramic Mask

Three Ages of Man, Aztec Archaeological Ceramic Mask

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$89.00

Ceramic mask, 'Maya Lord Jaguar' - Fair Trade Handcrafted Mayan Ceramic Mask

Mayan Mystique, Fair Trade Handcrafted Mayan Ceramic Mask

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$59.00

Ceramic figurine, 'Goddess Cuatlicue' (large) - Ceramic figurine (Large)

Goddess Cuatlicue, Ceramic figurine (Large)

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$87.00

Ceramic figurine, 'Olmec Fire God' - Handcrafted Archaeological Ceramic Sculpture

Olmec Fire God, Handcrafted Archaeological Ceramic Sculpture

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$87.00

Ceramic sculpture, 'Lord Chaac' - Maya Lord of Rain Ceramic Replica Sculpture

Lord Chaac, Maya Lord of Rain Ceramic Replica Sculpture

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$399.00

Ceramic plaque, 'Small Beige Aztec Calendar' - Ceramic plaque

Small Beige Aztec Calendar, Ceramic plaque

Angel Ceron Artisan Association
5.0
$37.00

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