Papier-Mâché Skeleton

Working with papier-mâché has a long tradition in Mexico. Paper fibers, water and paste are processed into a viscous paste that can then be sculpted in a variety of ways. Our rattling Papier-Mâché Skeleton defines the high art of this endangered sub-genre of Mexican handicrafts and there are only a small handful of manufacturers in the country that are still involved in the time-consuming and labor-intensive elaboration of papier-mâché skeletons. 

The hip area, body and the magnificent skulls form the rigid center of the construct, to which the limbs are attached by means of wire loops firmly anchored in the body. The arms and legs of the Skeleton are based on a wire frame that ends in a closed ring at each end. Each individual wire bone of the limbs is encased in a thin layer of papier-mâché - on the forearms and lower legs of the two larger models, split into ulna and radius as well as tibia and fibula. The mini version of the Papier-Mâché Skeleton does without this division, but you can carefully bend the arms and legs to your personal taste. 

After applying the dignified hand-painting, the surface was sealed with a thin layer of matt varnish to make the skeleton suitable for everyday use in a variety of applications: the small version is predestined for use on the interior mirror of the car, where it not only contributes to the general amusement with wild dances on cobblestones, but also acts as a lucky charm. The two larger models are wonderfully authentic decorative items for any Dia de Muertos festivities and of course also enhance the Day of the Dead altar immensely. Above all, however, the skeleton can be used to perform ludicrous dances as part of a macabre puppet show - if, like us, you have skeleton-loving children of school and pre-school age, we can assure you that the rickety Mexican bald heads will play a regular role in puppet theater for a very long time.