From earth to flame, each piece in this month’s edit tells a story of transformation — clay shaped by hand, glazed in tradition, and brought to life by fire. Featuring works from Morocco and Mexico, these handcrafted ceramic candleholders illuminate the artistry and heritage of the people who make them.
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Acatlán Circus Tree of Life
Herón Martínez Mendoza (1918–1990), from Acatlán de Osorio, Puebla, is one of Mexico’ most celebrated ceramic artists. Known for his intricate, imaginative designs, Mendoza created whimsical pieces that bring folk traditions to life. Most notably, his highly collectible “Tree of Life” candelabras (pictured above), which were inspired by the circus and symbolize the interconnectedness of all living things.
Today, Mendoza’s nephew continues the family tradition, handcrafting faithful reproductions that honor the legacy of one of Mexico’s most iconic folk artists. There are few places in the US where these rare pieces are available for purchase, and Nomada Deco is one of them.
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Pedro Hernandez
Pedro Hernández is a master potter from San José de Gracia, Michoacán, a region in Mexico renowned for its ceramic craftsmanship. Using natural earthenware clay from nearby mountains, Hernández and his family employ traditional barro vidriado and pastillaje techniques to create intricate ornamental pottery, most famously, the pineapple sculptures that have become enduring symbols of hospitality and abundance.
Through the meticulous pastillaje process, artisans pinch thin strips of wet clay to form delicate leaves, petals, scales, and spikes, finishing each piece with glossy, mineral-rich glazes.
Nomada Deco is proud to offer a curated selection of Hernández’s candelabras and candlesticks — including a limited series finished in a soft nude-beige glaze, created exclusively for us.
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Ochre Tamegroute Triton
Handcrafted in Tamegroute, a small village in southern Morocco on the edge of the Sahara, this ochre candelabra is the product of a centuries-old pottery tradition unique to the region. Its distinctive ochre glaze comes from the copper oxide found in local soils. The temperature and duration of the firing process shapes each sculpture’s shade and vibrancy. The resulting spectrum of warm yellows and earthy browns is a direct reflection of the rich tones of the desert landscape from which it originates.
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Green Tamegroute Candelabra
What we do know is that the clay is carefully sourced from palm groves, dug from pits up to ten meters deep, while the signature glaze blends manganese, silica, cobalt, a touch of copper, barley flour, and a unique local rock. The result is a rich, multi-tonal green that is impossible to replicate elsewhere.
