Vintage Mexican Milagros on La Mariposa Gallery

Milagros are tiny votive offerings representing a request for a favor or to give thanks for one granted. They are directed towards Christ, the Virgin or a saint depending on what the supplicant is praying to request or thank. The exact significance of a milagro (miracle) is only known to the person who asked for the favor (and of course, the saint!). They represent hope. The image (heart, leg, person, eye, etc.) symbolized the problem or concern of the petitioner and was hung in a Catholic church. They are not sanctioned by the church, they portray a blend of the indigenous and European beliefs which still exist today. From time to time, some churches remove milagros to make room for more, selling them for the metal content. In Mexico, milagros are made of copper, lead, silver, gold, brass, tin, pewter or bronze. Some are alloys dipped in silver or gold to look more valuable.

The Mexican milagros that we sell are vintage, estimated to be at least 50 years old, some older. Some still have the original ribbon used to attach them. None have been cleaned. They were acquired in Mexico City from a large private collection in June 2004. They had been in storage for over 20 years and were vintage when originally acquired. These are authentic, used folk art pieces; each one a testimonial that a milagro (miracle) was answered.

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