José the Merman

$450.00
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Maestro José García Antonio is widely celebrated as the "Lord of the Mermaids" (el señor de las sirenas), having spent decades perfecting the art of translating these mythical forms into red clay. While his workshop, Taller Manos Que Ven, is a multi-generational family endeavor where his children continue his legacy, this particular merman sculpture is a rare and soulful self-portrait.

With this piece, José turns his creative lens inward, reimagining himself as one of the legendary figures that made his San Antonino Castillo Velasco studio famous.

Height: 16 in | Width: 6 in | Depth: 4 in | Weight: 3.6 lbs

Currently we only ship in the U.S. Please allow 3-5 business days for your order to be processed and shipped.

Once an order has been shipped, an email will be sent to the email address provided on the order with your shipment's tracking information.

Policy:
All sales are final. Folk Heart Cafe maintains a strict no-return and no-exchange policy because our collection consists of one-of-a-kind, handmade, and fragile artisanal objects.

Shipping & Insurance:
All shipments are fully insured at no additional cost to you. Should a piece arrive damaged, Folk Heart Cafe will handle the entire claims process with our shipping carrier. To assist us, we simply ask that you notify us immediately and provide photos of the damage and original packaging so we can file the claim and resolve the issue for you.

*Due to the handmade nature of our products, slight variations in color, texture, and dimensions are natural and are part of the character and authenticity of each piece.

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About the artist

José García Antonio

José García Antonio is a dedicated master ceramicist from San Antonino Castillo Velasco, Oaxaca, famously known as the artisan with "Manos que Ven" (Hands that See). Despite losing his eyesight to glaucoma in his fifties, he continues to create large-scale terracotta sculptures by relying on touch, memory, and the "inner eye" of his imagination. His work frequently features "The Lord of the Sirens" and robust Zapotec women inspired by his wife and muse, Teresita, often distinguished by a signature mole he meticulously sculpts onto their foreheads.

All the little things you might wonder

  • Every piece in this collection was purchased at the artist's full asking price.

    We believe in honoring the mastery, heart, and immense time that goes into these living traditions. By paying fairly and directly, we aim to support the livelihoods of the families we work with and help preserve these incredible histories for generations to come.

  • Every item is hand-selected during my travels, looking for pieces that feel "raw" and authentic rather than mass-produced. I focus on finding works that tell a story of a specific place and people, often visiting remote regions to find traditional art that isn't found in typical markets. I look for the beauty in the "imperfections" that only human hands can create.

  • Yes, everything is hand-made and one-of-a-kind! Due to the handmade nature of our products, slight variations in color, texture, and dimensions are natural and are part of the character and authenticity of each piece.

  • Please allow 3-5 business days for your order to be processed and shipped.

    Once an order has been shipped, an email will be sent to the email address provided on the order with your shipment's tracking information. Customers are responsible for monitoring the delivery of their shipment once an order has left us.

    Please note that once an order is shipped it cannot be cancelled or changed. We cannot change the shipping address or the shipping method selected.

  • Policy:
    All sales are final. Folk Heart Cafe maintains a strict no-return and no-exchange policy because our collection consists of one-of-a-kind, handmade, and fragile artisanal objects.

    Shipping & Insurance:
    All shipments are fully insured at no additional cost to you. Should a piece arrive damaged, Folk Heart Cafe will handle the entire claims process with our shipping carrier. To assist us, we simply ask that you notify us immediately and provide photos of the damage and original packaging so we can file the claim and resolve the issue for you.

  • Currently, we do not offer international shipping. We only ship within the U.S.