Ex-voto

More Mexican memorabilia.

I hunted high and low for these in Mexico, finally finding some in Oaxaca.

An ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint or to a divinity. It is given in fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude or devotion. Ex-votos are placed in a church or chapel where the worshiper seeks grace or wishes to give thanks. The destinations of pilgrimages often include shrines decorated with ex-votos.

Frida Kahlo collected them in the form of small paintings that ordinary Mexicans made to say thanks for relief from illness etc. I was lucky to find one which had actually been hand painted. It was much more expensive than the others (£15) but I will treasure it. Close up.