The first time he met a pope, Mexican craftsman Hilario Hernández travelled to the Vatican as the guardian of the fragile ceramic piece he had created as a gift for Benedict XVI. The work he was commissioned to create for the Pope in 2008 is a celebrated expression of Mexican craftsmanship. Known as a Tree of Life, it belongs to a tradition that flourished in the hands of artisans in the mid-20th century and is considered a symbol of identity in Hernández’s hometown. 

Hernández’s ancestors have crafted clay pieces for as long as he can remember. “The tree allows you to express whatever you want,” said Carolina Ramírez, a guide at Metepec’s Clay Museum. “It’s a source of pride for us, as it has become part of the town’s identity and charm.” The museum holds an annual contest that encourages artisans from across Mexico to submit their versions of the tree. It now houses more than 300 pieces and displays a permanent selection of them.