Originally created by Mexican printmaker, cartoonist and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada around 1910-1913, the distinctive La Catrina figure has become an icon of the Mexican Día De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Catrina figurines are made in all sizes, from all materials, and in a variety of styles and costumes.

Beautifully crafted and stunningly handpainted, this imposing ( 13" Catrina is elegantly dressed in a lowcut, skintight, floor length black gown emblazoned with colorful, Otomi -inspired embroidery designs. . She wears a dramatic matching hat, and both pieces are tipped with a frilly edging of black lace.

Unlike many papier-maché pieces, which are delicate and huge dust magnets, this figurine has been treated with some kind of clear varnish or glaze that has rendered it sturdy, stain-resistant and cleanable. I believe there is a wire armature ( the arms appear to be made of wire) and some kind of weighting system, as the piece balances solidly on its own.

Dignified, sophisticated and actually, kind of sexy, the Catrina figurine is in EUC with no apparent chips, cracks, rubs, stains, finish loss or repairs. Authentic, folkloric art piece ships USPS Ground Advantage from Los Angeles.

This Catrina figurine has been beautifully hand-painted, and has been created out of papier-mâché, the popular crafting technique that uses paper and a paste.

Papier-mâché is the layering of moistened paper and other materials onto a blank surface like a balloon. The adhesive used to wet the paper acts as a binding agent. As the paper dries, the outer shell hardens, which can then be painted and decorated.

The incredible attention to detail instantly makes this Catrina creation a must in any Mexican folk art collection.