A wonderful pair of Josephine Arias black Tlaquepaque Rooster toothpick holders. Roosters measure 9 1/2″ tall x 8″ diameter.

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Once plentiful and ubiquitous, Mexican tourist-ware from the 30s, often called Tlaquepaque for the town outside Guadalajara along the old Pan-American Highway whence so much of it originated, is now collected for its freedom and expressiveness and personality, as well as its increasing rarity (the pieces are fragile). Not derived from any deep-seated folk traditions, but rather formulated to appeal to the crowds of tourists who were starting to flock to Mexico, the designs and imagery are vivid and lively and extremely varied and seem to be made as much for the pleasure of the maker as for the intended customer. Particularly prized are lidded pieces, and those with unusual forms and decorations.