OUR COLLECTION — LATIN AMERICA — ECUADOR 234. CLAY HOLY FAMILY
This set of 2 clay figures depicts the Holy Family. The set is created by the Adianto Ceramics Workshop in Cumbaya, Ecuador. Both Mary and Joseph wear clothing that represents clothing worn by indigenous people from this part of Ecuador. Each piece is hand-built from rolled sheets of clay. Artisans create the basic figure and then attach each feature, including clothing, ears, hair, and animals’ tails and coats. After a short drying period, artisans add additional details with carving tools. The pieces are fired in a gas-fired kiln. Then artisans paint additional details on the figures. The process is labor-intensive, resulting in distinctive folk-art pieces. The tallest piece measures 9 inches tall.
This item is distributed by Camari, a group initiated in 1981 as a complement to the work of FEPP (a Christian development agency) which assists farmers throughout Ecuador. Camari works to confront the problem of marketing agricultural and handicraft products on behalf of several hundred peasant groups. This work enables these small farmers, or “campesinos,” to remain in their home communities instead of leaving to find scarce work in the cities. Camari unites people, works to ensure they receive stable, fair income and enables them to carry on family traditions of working the land, as well as preserving indigenous culture through the creation of traditional crafts.
This item is distributed by Camari, a group initiated in 1981 as a complement to the work of FEPP (a Christian development agency) which assists farmers throughout Ecuador. Camari works to confront the problem of marketing agricultural and handicraft products on behalf of several hundred peasant groups. This work enables these small farmers, or “campesinos,” to remain in their home communities instead of leaving to find scarce work in the cities. Camari unites people, works to ensure they receive stable, fair income and enables them to carry on family traditions of working the land, as well as preserving indigenous culture through the creation of traditional crafts.