Arte de La Vida    
37 North Tucson Boulevard
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(520) 398-6720

Hand crafted, Hand Painted Set of 3 Izucar Ceramic Candle Holders Featuring:
Giraffe: 7" tall, 4" deep, and 2.5" wide
Elephant: 5" tall, 4" deep, and 2.5" wide
Panda: 4.5" tall, 4" deep, and 2.5" wide

by Lynne Doyle

Lynne Doyle is a contributing editor to the
Mexico File and a Mexican folk art hound.
Part II of this article will appear in the
February 2006 issue.

The art coming from this area is totally
distinct from any other in Mexico and is
enjoying wide popularity these days. There
are three towns in Mexico known for their
Trees of Life candelabra and incense burners
– each very different from the others – but
Izucar is widely considered to be where
the tradition of the tree of life began. At
its origins, the Tree of Life incense burner
was given as a gift to young couples getting
married by the godparents of the groom,
and the candelabra was presented by the
bride’s godparents as a symbol of hope for
a “good harvest” throughout the couple’s
life, both in terms of number of offspring as
well as general prosperity. As the designs
painted on the trees became increasingly
ornate, the forms evolved to include simple
candleholders, fi gures in popular Mexican
cultural life, and any other manifestations
of interest to Izucar’s artists..

Arte De La Vida- Bringing colors of Mexico home to you, both Vintage and New...

Located in the Sam Hughes Neighborhood, just a few yards from the Northwest corner of Tucson Blvd and Broadway Rd. Right next door to Black Cat Vintage. We have a large inventory of High-end to Low-brow Mexican Collectibles, Folk Art, Pottery, Textiles, Clothes, Tourist Wares and Furniture.