Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Large Bizarre Diablitos Devil Wagon Clay Folk Art of Ocumicho Mexico

In Folk Art > Mexican Folk Art > Show & Tell and Pottery > Mexican Pottery > Show & Tell.
Pottery7350 of 12310Andersen Design a project falls into my lap!
11
Love it
0
Like it

ManikinManikin loves this.
mikelv85mikelv85 loves this.
ho2cultchaho2cultcha loves this.
sanibelgirlsanibelgirl loves this.
Virginia.vintageVirginia.vintage loves this.
racer4fourracer4four loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
JewelsJewels loves this.
aghcollectaghcollect loves this.
SEAN68SEAN68 loves this.
See 9 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 9 years ago

    helinfla
    (2 items)

    I saw this hilarious clay sculpture a couple of months ago in a consignment shop, and my husband and I couldn't resist buying it. The owner didn't know much about the piece and thought it represented the Day of The Dead, which may turn out to be partially true. This Diablitos Devil Wagon resembles the early 1960s creations of Marcelino Vicente, Mescal Sculptor of Ocumicho in the rural Mexican state of Michoacan.

    Marcelino's story is tragic, yet fascinating. He was born about 1933 in the tiny town of Ocumicho, Mexico. He never seemed to fit in with the men folk, in that he opted to design pottery with the women of the village. In the 1960s, being the rebel that he was, he designed and sculpted these busy, outlandish, and devilish clay dioramas in his workshop. The townspeople were religious and wouldn't allow them in their homes, but all Marcelino had to do was pack these obscene babies up and take them to the market place, where tourists loved and clamored for more. Once discovered, Marcelino became instantly famous, which inspired animosity and jealousy among the locals. Unfortunately, he only lived to sculpt five more years. At the young age of 35, while he was having a beer in a bar, a group of men beat him, and he bled to death on the way to the hospital. This occurred just before the Day of the Dead. It is believed that very few of his original pieces can be found, since his sculptures all but disappeared into private collections.

    You can see that there's a real party going on here, and this bizarre Diablito Wagon is bustling with action. It's covered with devils and snakes, all happily cavorting with two senoritas. The devils and snakes have big smiles on their faces. The donkey has his mouth open in a big grin, too. The devilish red Diablito holds the yellow reins, and the senorita sitting next to him doesn't look too sure about where she's going. Happy snakes are slithering around the sculpture, while one black Diablito lays on the ground with its mouth open wide under a wine jug. The gray Diabilito on top is having a high time, and, on the top rear, we have a reclining clay-colored Diablito who is engaged in a drink fest with another black devil and senorita who are imbibing below. At least fourteen decorative wine jugs adorn the yellow wagon, with it's black and white wheels. The green-painted red clay base is crudely adorned with white lacy designs (typical of Vicente's work). The underneath of the base reveals a repaired crack across the middle, as is usually discussed in descriptions of Marcelino Vicente's top-heavy creations. Weighing almost 14 pounds, the sculpture measures approximately 21 inches long by 8 inches wide by 15 inches high.

    With its earth-tone color palette and yellow varnish, this sculpture appears to be an authentic Marcelino Vicente original. Everyone who views it has a different impression. Some are repulsed by it, and some are merely intrigued by it. Others can understand and experience the inner child of the artist. What do you think?

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Mexican Folk Art
    See all
    100 Milagro Charms Mexican Folk Art DARK Antique SILVER/BLACK Exvoto Retablo
    100 Milagro Charms Mexican Folk Art...
    $23
    50-pcs VTG 2.5 2 1/2
    50-pcs VTG 2.5 2 1/2" Steel Square ...
    $13
    OLD Antique Vintage Mexican Folk Art Carved Wooden Mask Guererro Cherub Putti
    OLD Antique Vintage Mexican Folk Ar...
    $58
    VTG Ocumicho Pottery Mexican Folk Snake Candle Holder statue Sculpture 10.5
    VTG Ocumicho Pottery Mexican Folk S...
    $163
    logo
    100 Milagro Charms Mexican Folk Art DARK Antique SILVER/BLACK Exvoto Retablo
    100 Milagro Charms Mexican Folk Art...
    $23
    See all

    Comments

    1. SEAN68 SEAN68, 9 years ago
      beautiful!!!
    2. katherinescollections katherinescollections, 9 years ago
      Nice find, these are incredibly valuable to certain collectors, many of the pieces are in museums.
    3. ho2cultcha ho2cultcha, 9 years ago
      this is GREAT!
    4. Hunter Hunter, 9 years ago
      Sounds like you know a fair bit about this style of pottery, but here's a link to an article CW did on the topic: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-curious-tale-of-mexicos-most-peculiar-pottery/

      enjoy!
    5. Virginia.vintage Virginia.vintage, 9 years ago
      Fantastic!!
    6. sanibelgirl, 9 years ago
      Not only do you have an eye for spotting a find, but you are also a great story teller. Thanks for an entertaining history of this unusual artist.
    7. ho2cultcha ho2cultcha, 9 years ago
      WOW! i'm blown away by this!

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.