DepartmentLatin America

Skeleton cart

NameSculpture

Maker Vincente Hernandez Vasquez

Date1980s

Place madeOcotlán de Morelos, Oaxaca, Mexico, North America

MediumWood, paint, metal nails

DimensionsOverall: 16 9/16 x 33 1/16 x 9 13/16 in. (42 x 84 x 25 cm)

Credit LineGift of Andrea Wilcox-Black

Object numberA.2011.3.33a-ak

DescriptionCart with three skeletons and pair of skeleton oxen. Wooden carvings of 38 individual pieces assemble into a cart drawn by two skeleton oxen a). and b). with ears n-q).,curving horns j-m). and tails v-w). The oxen are connected by a yoke c). The cart is driven by a seated skeleton monkey d)., which should hold a large (detached) red bottle u). The cart itself is formed of a slab bed g). with upright poles x - ag)., and top cross pieces ah-ak). It sits on two large wheels h-i) with pegs r-s) at the centers to attach them. A long tongue projects from the front of the cart, but the connection between the cart and oxen is missing. The cart holds two skeletons (probably prisoners), one with knees bent and arms outstretched e). who is intended to hold a smaller red bottle t)., and one with jointed limbs f). Most items are painted white with black accents, and the oxen and skeletons have red accents on their faces.