# Candelario Medrano, Santa Cruz de Las Huertas,Masked Man

Priced in Mexican Pesos. 
A treasure from my personal collection.. as you can see from the price tag ... I´m not anxious to see it go.. but here´s your opportunity!  Never have I seen a piece with a removable mask.  there is great detail in the mask too!
Candelario Medrano was an illiterate primitive artist from Santa Cruz de las Huertas (between Tonala and Tlaquepaque). He was adopted as a youngster by Julian Acero who was, at the time, the master clay worker in the small town. He was famous for his clay toys. The area was known for making the drain pipes for sewers and roof drains.  Jorge Wilmot (credited with saving the clay industry in the area) encouraged the young Candelario to make something more imaginative from the clay. This ´narwal´design was one of his first, taking from the toys that his father in law was famous for.
This one was purchased from Candelario by Tom Faloon in the early 70's and is in very good condition,  it is  13" tall . 
This like most of Candelario and Juan Jose´s works was painted with the Betus, the pine resin coating that turns into a mustard yellow colored finish when fired.
 An expert from a Guadalajara museum,  a friend of Wilmot and frequent visitor to Candelarios´ taller has confirmed that this was done by Candelario himself.  
I have several of these clay figures done by his children, and grandchildren to offer here on our website.. poco a poco.