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Gourds

Gourds

Gourds (widely known as Guajes from the Cucurbitaceae species) were essential in daily life of Mexico for centuries. Many kitchen utensils were made of gourds: cups (jícaras, from the Nahuatl xicalli), spoons, strainers, containers for liquids or personal belongings. During pre-hispanic times, jícara (gourd cup) was even used as a measure for the tax contributions of grain, gold and pigments, as shown in the manuscripts’ illustrations by Franciscan friars from the XVI century.

 

 

In time, artisans took the modest guaje and decorated it with maque, pigments, or carvings, and it became one of the most beautiful expressions of Mexican talent and imagination. Today, guajes are still used in specialized restaurants and many homes for serving mezcal, atole, chocolate, or as decoration.

 

 

We present you the special selection of carved guajes from Oaxaca and Tabasco.

 

 

  • Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - White
    Sale
    from $7.45

    Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - White

    Mexico1492

    Large, carved, round gourd sphere (guaje), dyed in white and carved by the skillful hands of the Oaxacan artisans. Looks spectacular on a Christmas...

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    from $7.45
    Sale
  • Mexico 1492 - Black carved gourd sphere (guaje), handmade in Oaxaca, perfect Christmas ornament
    Sale
    from $7.45

    Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Black

    Mexico1492

    Large, carved, round gourd sphere (guaje), dyed in black and carved by the skillful hands of the Oaxacan artisans. Looks spectacular on a Christmas...

    View full details
    from $7.45
    Sale
  • Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Red
    Sale
    from $7.45

    Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Red

    Mexico1492

    Available Through Special Order Only: Large, carved, round gourd sphere (guaje), dyed in red and carved by the skillful hands of the Oaxacan artisa...

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    from $7.45
    Sale
  • Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Natural Beige
    Sale
    from $7.45

    Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Natural Beige

    Mexico1492

    Available Through Special Order Only: Large, carved, round gourd sphere (guaje). Carved by the skillful hands of the Oaxacan artisans. Looks specta...

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    from $7.45
    Sale
  • Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Gold
    Sale
    from $7.45

    Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Gold

    Mexico1492

    Large, carved, round gourd sphere (guaje), dyed in gold and carved by the skillful hands of the Oaxacan artisans. Looks spectacular on a Christmas ...

    View full details
    from $7.45
    Sale
  • Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Bronze
    Sale
    from $7.45

    Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Bronze

    Mexico1492

    Large, carved, round gourd sphere (guaje), dyed in white and carved by the skillful hands of the Oaxacan artisans. Looks spectacular on a Christmas...

    View full details
    from $7.45
    Sale
  • Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Silver
    Sale
    from $7.45

    Carved Gourd Ornamental Sphere - Silver

    Mexico1492

    Large, carved, round gourd sphere (guaje), dyed in white and carved by the skillful hands of the Oaxacan artisans. Looks spectacular on a Christmas...

    View full details
    from $7.45
    Sale
  • Carved Gourd Mezcal Cup (Jícara de Guaje)
    $6.75

    Carved Gourd Mezcal Cup (Jícara de Guaje)

    Mexico1492

     Small, carved, round gourd cup (jícara de guaje) with the base ring made from woven carrizo reed fiber for balance, with the dye and carvings on t...

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    $6.75
  • Carved Gourd Hot Chocolate Cup (Jícara de Guaje)
    from $9.75

    Carved Gourd Hot Chocolate Cup (Jícara de Guaje)

    Mexico1492

      Available through special orders - please contact us at info@mexico1492.com. Large, carved, round gourd cup (jícara de guaje) with the base ring ...

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    from $9.75
  • Carved Gourd Mezcal Bottle (Guaje)
    Sold out
    $24.25

    Carved Gourd Mezcal Bottle (Guaje)

    Mexico1492

     Available through special orders - please contact us at info@mexico1492.com. Carved, round gourd recipient (bottela de guaje) with the base ring m...

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    $24.25
    Sold out
  • Natural Carved Gourd Tortillero
    from $57.75

    Natural Carved Gourd Tortillero

    Mexico1492

    Carved gourd, large enough to hold fresh, warm tortillas. In natural shades of green and brown or dyed white or black, carved by the skillful hands...

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    from $57.75
  • Black Carved Gourd Tortillero
    from $57.75

    Black Carved Gourd Tortillero

    Mexico1492

    Painted and carved gourd, large enough to hold fresh, warm tortillas. In natural shades of green and brown or dyed white or black, carved by the sk...

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    from $57.75
  • White Carved Gourd Tortillero
    from $57.75

    White Carved Gourd Tortillero

    Mexico1492

    Painted and carved gourd, large enough to hold fresh, warm tortillas. In natural shades of green and brown or dyed white or black, carved by the sk...

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    from $57.75
  • Carved Gourd Tortillero - Hen
    $57.75

    Carved Gourd Tortillero - Hen

    Mexico1492

    Painted and carved gourd, large enough to hold fresh, warm tortillas. In natural shades of green and brown or dyed white or black, carved by the sk...

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    $57.75
  • Carved Gourd Bowl - Large
    Sold out
    $82.75

    Carved Gourd Bowl - Large

    Mexico1492

    Painted and hand carved gourd, large enough to hold fresh, warm tortillas, fruit or candy. Dyed in white and carved by the skillful hands of the Oa...

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    $82.75
    Sold out
  • Elogio de la Cocina Mexicana - In Praise of Mexican Cooking: Intangible Cultural Heritage - Artes de México
    $67.75

    Elogio de la Cocina Mexicana - In Praise of Mexican Cooking: Intangible Cultural Heritage - Artes de México

    Mexico1492

    In Praise of Mexican Cooking: Intangible Cultural Heritage. Traditional Mexican cuisine was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Unesco in ...

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    $67.75
  • Lacas Mexicanas - Mexican Lacquerwork - Artes de México
    from $22.25

    Lacas Mexicanas - Mexican Lacquerwork - Artes de México

    Mexico1492

    Mexican Lacquerwork. Six authors share their insights into the ancient art of lacquerwork in Mexico, its Oriental and European influences and the i...

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    from $22.25
  • Tequila, the Traditional Art of Mexico - Artes de México
    from $22.25

    Tequila, the Traditional Art of Mexico - Artes de México

    Mexico1492

    Tequila: a Traditional Mexican Art. Like the country that gave rise to it, tequila was the product of two cultures: the American agave and European...

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    from $22.25
  • Maguey - Artes de México
    from $22.25

    Maguey - Artes de México

    Mexico1492

    Maguey. The maguey—silent witness to Mexico’s transformations—holds the key to its own cultivation, the use of each of its parts, and how and where...

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    from $22.25
  • Revelaciones del Arte Popular Mexicano - The Crafts of Mexico - Artes de México
    $75.00

    Revelaciones del Arte Popular Mexicano - The Crafts of Mexico - Artes de México

    Mexico1492

    The Crafts of Mexico. This book is the product of the Smithsonian Institute’s recognition of Artes de México’s fifteen-year publishing history and ...

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    $75.00
  • Mexico 1492 Gift Card
    from $10.00

    Mexico 1492 Gift Card

    Mexico1492

    Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them?Give them the gift of choice with a Mexico1492 gift card. Gift cards are delivered by emai...

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    from $10.00