Hermenegildo Contreras Cruz corn husk native Mexican doll

Hermenegildo Contreras Cruz corn husk native Mexican doll. 13" tall on 4" wood base, width of head dress 5" Hermenegildo's pieces are considered some of the finest and most original produced in all of Mexico. Hermenegildo Contreras Cruz, an artisan originally from San Sebastián Ocotlán, makes sculptures with the corn leaf or totomoxtle, he creates flowers, angels, representative figures of the Guelaguetza of Oaxaca such as the Oaxacan Chinese, dancers, individual dolls or in models. How they are made When the corn is harvested in December, the artisan gathers his leaves so he has working material that will last him all year. First, with the use of a knife, he cuts close to the stem to get as much of the corn leaf as he can. Secondly, he selects for color: rose, beige, coffee, purple, and white. Third, he checks for texture. The various textures are used for various parts of the doll. Next he puts all that he has gathered in the shade and classifies in plastic bags or boxes to keep out the dust and maintain the color. Before he starts making a figure, he will submerge the totomoxtle in water so they do not break as he bends and works them. For the base, he uses corn leaves he has cut from the corncob most exposed to the sun and that are hard and dry. He then begins forming the body, head, face, clothing, and lastly the details such as huaraches (Mexican sandals), sombreros (hats), objects to be held in the hands, ojos (eyes), boca (mouth) and cejas (eyebrows).