The Flores Family

The Flores Family

Izucar de Matamoros, Puebla
Painted clay

Aurelio Flores (1901-1987) is credited with originating the multicolored clay Trees of Life in Izucar de Matamoros. Aurelio’s grandparents were potters, and he grew up helping his parents create pottery. He developed the tree of life that is now widely recognized from Izucar de Matamoros in the 1920s. This was adapted from traditional candelabra and incense burners, which are often given as gifts at weddings. 

Aurelio continued to work in his family’s fields, as well as being a healer and musician. As merchants from Puebla City began purchasing his work it started to become famous across Mexico. His sculptures were decorated with flowers and birds and usually showed Adam, Eve, and the serpent on the trunk with Archangel Gabriel at the base of the tree. His style includes using many colors of paint and painting small lines to create patterns.

Aurelio’s son Francisco Flores Sanchez (died 2006) continued his father’s work of making Trees of Life. Though Trees of Life are made by other artists in Izucar de Matamoros, the Flores family’s work was considered the most traditional. The Flores family is no longer producing artwork, as the younger generations did not carry on the tradition.

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Example:
Red Mariachi
Painted Earthenware Ceramic, Wire
6h x 9w x 4d in
Location: PMG Basement