Vintage Sermel Tonala Mexico Hand-Painted Hippo Figurines Signed Pair For Sale

An unexpected little discovery from the colorful world of Tonaláfolk art.

These two hand-painted hippopotamus figurines came out of the Tonalá, Jalisco folk art export era, bold red and warm cream, both with that iconic open-mouth expression and hand-painted gold tooth detail that makes them unmistakably Tonalá.Each piece is hand-signed “Sermel Tonala Jal Mex” on the base and retains its original Hecho en Mexico export sticker, placing them in the mid-to-late 20th century Mexican folk art export period (approx. 1960s–1980s).Lightweight, hand-formed with a glossy glaze finish, classic Tonalá decorative animal figures made for both local markets and international export. The red hippo measures approximately 11 inches long; the cream is slightly smaller. Together they make a striking display pair with real presence.Details:
∙ Set of 2 (red + cream)
∙ Hand-formed paper mache with lacquered glaze finish, classic Tonalá export construction
∙ Signed: Sermel Tonala Jal Mex on each piece
∙ Original Hecho en Mexico export sticker on both
∙ Dimensions/Weight: approx. 11 inches long 1.58lbs Weight listed is item weight only and does not include packaging materials.
∙ Gold/amber tooth detail on both🐇 The Rabbit Hole Fact:Tonalá, Jalisco has been an active craft center since pre-Columbian times. During the mid-20th century export boom, its artisans shipped hand-painted animals worldwide, but signed, matched pairs like this rarely survived the journey together.Condition
This is a vintage item sold as-is. It may show signs of age, wear, or storage. Please review all photos carefully, as they are part of the description. Red hippo: minor surface scuffs, small horn wear. Cream hippo: more visible wear including chipping on horn tips and foot edges, surface marks on neck/body. Both display well.Returns
All sales are final. Please review photos and description carefully before purchasing.Shipping
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Items are available until payment is received.Payment Methods
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