A small "Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life)" figure from Mexico, believed to be made in the 1950s. This work is positioned within the decorative design lineage that developed in the central highlands of Mexico (particularly around Metepec), a fusion of the post-colonial Catholic worldview and indigenous nature worship. The Árbol de la Vida was originally created as a ceremonial object symbolizing the Garden of Eden, Genesis, fertility, and the cycle of life and death. From the late 19th century onwards, it was used as a decoration for home altars and as a fixture for wedding and baptism rituals. Features of this work: * Symmetrical structure * Birds (symbolizing the soul and messengers) * Fruit-like decorations (fertility) * Simple brushstrokes using multi-colored pigments * Matte fading of hand-painted colors after firing These are typical characteristics found in regional workshop works from before the 1950s. Compared to mass-produced items from the tourist folk art boom period after the late 1960s, this piece clearly differs in that: * The coloring is somewhat dull * The base material is rough * The density of decoration is modest * It is not overly refined The size is 9cm in height. This small size is rather significant, suggesting it was intended for a "home altar" or as a portable decoration, rather than for a large altar. The "MEXICO" inscription on the back was written at the time of purchase. The absence of a maker's mark is in line with the essence of this folk craft. Trees of Life from before the 1950s are currently: * Stably evaluated in the US folk art market * In the Mexican folk art collector market * In the religious and folk material market ⸻ Size Height: 9cm Width: 7cm Depth: 3cm