Mexico’s Ex-Votos are naive folk art that tell a story of thanksgiving for being saved from near-death or disaster. Yes, it was a miracle to survive. Usually, the person who escaped tragedy would hire a local artist to paint a tin square depicting the scene. The message of thanks may have included many misspellings, as the painters were not educated. They often include depictions of the saint to whom the supplicant is sending prayers of thanks.
Original, vintage ex-votos were taken to a nearby shrine where the person, with hammer and nail, would affix the small painting to a tree or post or altar. Hence vintage ex-votos usually always have a crude hole in the top center of the plaque.
Today, I am offering six ex-votos for sale. One is a vintage piece from the 1930’s. The others are reproductions recently painted by Mexico City folk artisan Rafael Rodriguez. I acquired these from a Mexico City collector.
Below, by the miracle of faith, Lupema Lora Rosales is saved. We even see her photo in the ex-voto.
SOLD. #1. A prodigious miracle Lupema Lora Rosales, Zacatecas. Vintage, 1930’s. 6-3/4″high x 10″wide. $195 USD.
To Buy: Please send me an email tell me which one you want. Please identify it by the NUMBER and include your mailing address. I will send you a PayPal invoice for the piece plus shipping cost based on your location. I will ship to the USA and Canada. Thank you very much.
#2. Pascual Ortiz climbed on the locomotive, didn’t look and almost broke his head. October 1937. 9-3/4″ high x 19-3/4″ wide. New. $95 USD
Below, a Franciscan friar gives his blessing when the four-headed monster is vanquished.
SOLD. #3. Carlota Gonzalez thanks me for getting rid of a monster who attacked her because he has many heads. Oaxaca 18 de Mallo (May) 1939. New. $125 USD.
Below, the Virgin of Guadalupe is watching over Aristarco Lima!
SOLD. #4. Aristarco Lima gives thanks with this ex-voto because the cactus gave a little worm for sale. Otumvo de 2 Agosto 1937. New. 9-1/2″ h x 8-1/2″ w. $85 USD.
Below, a duel NOT to the death, thanks to the Virgin of Soledad.
SOLD. #5. Timateo Vargas and another man both have machetes and gives thanks that both did not lose their life. San Miguel de Allende 1940. New. 8-1/2″ h x 10″ w. $85 USD
Ex-votos are often exaggerations with larger-than-life figures illustrating the peril that was dodged.
SOLD. #6. A horrible socorpion attacked and grabbed Anastasio Valencia as he ascended from the pit well. San Jose, May 11, 1939. New. 9″h x 9-1/2″ w. $85 USD.
6 responses to “Say Your Prayers. Mexico’s Retablos – Ex-Votos Folk Art For Sale”