Calavera and La Catrina – the story behind the imagery
Día de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead, is celebrated every year from 31 October to 2 November and has been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2003. At its heart lies the remembrance of loved ones who have passed – not in mourning, but with colour, music and joyful decoration. The calavera, the decorated sugar skull, is the festival's best-known symbol. La Catrina, the elegant skeleton lady in her oversized feathered hat, goes back to an illustration by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada and has become the single most iconic image of the holiday – a wry reminder that death levels rich and poor alike.
Sugar skulls, busts and cat figurines in Day of the Dead style
The selection runs from classic calavera skulls in ceramic and polyresin with their characteristic floral painting through to an expressive La Catrina bust and cat figurines styled in the Day of the Dead aesthetic. Alongside these you'll come across a matryoshka-style set of three nesting sugar skull figures as well as backflow incense burners shaped as a señorita, which combine decorative presence with a working function. Every piece is hand-painted in the unmistakable calavera style, with vivid marigold blooms, swirling patterns and the bright palette that defines authentic Mexican folk art.
Where to display Day of the Dead pieces
Smaller calavera skulls and figurines work beautifully on shelves, mantelpieces or as the focal point of a curated altar arrangement – particularly atmospheric around late October and early November, when many collectors set up their own ofrenda. Larger busts and statement pieces hold their own on sideboards or console tables, where the detailed brushwork and bright colour palette can really be appreciated up close. The backflow incense holders add a sensory layer to any display, with smoke cascading downwards in a way that suits the otherworldly theme. Pieces from this range pair naturally with the Colourful Skulls, the Skeleton & Grim Reaper Figures selection, or the broader Skull Decor overview.
