HEART CONTAINERS
Almost all ancient cultures buried the heart in a ceramic vase separated from the body. They thought the heart contained the soul of the dead and needed a separate container. I ask myself: where would we guard our hearts? And what do we guard in them?
The idea of life, death, and our footprints in the world led me down the path of funeral rituals and ceremonies, discovering this beautiful tradition of heart-burial jars. As research into global funerary vessels advanced, I explored both formal and symbolic elements – the jar body and lid; surface design and decoration. A first series of porcelain and glass works were developed in China in 2024.
After the first trials, I focused on five symbolic motifs: The Boat represents travels between life and death; The Hummingbird, as presented in many ancient cultures, such as the Nazca lines; The Owl, that speaks of wisdom, The House, as a refuge and nucleus of family and community; Human Figures, that speak of our humanity.
Currently, the Heart Container Series consists of three lines: Chinese, Aztec, Celtic and Guatemalan.
Chinese Heart Containers
Chinese Heart Containers complete series.
The Elder, The Wise, The Witness, 2024. Dimensions: 40 cm, 35 cm, 38 cm (height), 30 cm (width, each). Materials: porcelain, gold luster. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
The Offering, 2024. Dimensions: 25 cm (height), 30 cm (width). Materials: porcelain, gold luster, blown glass. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
The Refuge, 2024. Dimensions: 30 cm (height), 30 cm (width). Materials: porcelain, gold luster. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Rising Sun, 2024. Dimensions: base 55 cm (height), 60 cm (diamater); lid 35 cm (height), 70 cm (width). Materials: porcelain, gold luster. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
The Wise 2, 2024. Dimensions: 60 cm (height), 40 cm (diameter). Materials: porcelain, gold luster. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
The Noble, Cherry Tree Vessel, Food Vessel, 2024. Dimensions: 4o cm (height), 25 cm and 30 cm (width. Materials: porcelain, gold luster. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Enlightened Elder, Enlightened Wise, Enlightened Witness; 2024. Dimensions: 30 cm, 35 cm and 40 cm (height), 20 cm and 25 cm (width). Materials: porcelain, gold luster, blown glass. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Exhibition at Taoxichuan Art Center in Jingdezhen, China, 2024.
Exhibition at Taoxichuan Art Center in Jingdezhen, China, 2024.
Aztec Heart Containers
Aztlán, The Refuge (Aztec series); 2025. Materials: terracotta, glass. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Calixto, The Witness (Aztec series); 2025. Materials: terracotta, glass. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Huehuetque, The Elder (Aztec series); 2025. Materials: terracotta, glass. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Nopal, Vessel (Aztec series); 2025. Materials: terracotta, glass. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Tlahchinolli, Burning Water (Aztec series); 2025. Materials: terracotta, glass. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Tlamatini, The Wise (Aztec series); 2025. Materials: terracotta, glass. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Xoloitzcuintle (Aztec series); 2025. Materials: terracotta. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
Celtic Heart Containers
The Elder, The Witness & The Wise; 2025. Materials: ceramic. Technique: hand made unique pieces.
The Witness. 50 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm; Materials: high temperature stoneware and high temperature glazes. 2025.
The Elder. 70 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm. Materials: high temperature stoneware and high temperature glazes. 2025
The Wise. 35 cm x 35 cm x 30 cm. Materials: high temperature stoneware and high temperature glazes. 2025
Guatemalan Heart Containers
The Elder / The Witness. 60 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm / 52 cm x 28 cm x 20 cm. Ceramic hand made pieces, hand made beaded lining. 2026.
The Elder, The Witness. Individual pieces with inside view.
The Wise. 42 cm x 23 cm x 23 cm. Ceramic hand made pieces, hand made beaded lining. 2026.
The Wise / The Heart. 42 cm x 23 cm x 23 cm / 15 cm x 10 cm x 7 cm. Ceramic hand made pieces, hand made beaded lining. 2026
The Wise and The Heart: Inside view.