Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card 1991.160 A-G: '7 Small sugar models of human skulls. Hollow. A) White with decoration in orange, purple and yellow icing on face and green and white icing on top of skull. Pink sequin eyes. 'Paty' typed in black ink and set in pink icing on front of skull. Discolouration of sugar in places, icing starting to crumble. B) White with orange, purple and green icing on face. Gold foil heart set in white icing on top of skull. Red sequin eyes. 'Elia' typed in black ink and set in pink icing on front of skull. Half of jaw broken off, discolouration of sugar in places, icing starting to crumble. C) White with pink icing on face and yellow on top of skull. Pink foil eyes with pink icing insets, discolouration of sugar in places. D) White with pink icing on face and green on top of skull. Silver foil eyes with pink icing insets. Slight discolouration of sugar in places E) Brown with white icing on face. Green and blue foil strips set in white icing on top of skull. Pink sequin eyes. Discolouration in places, white icing ' teeth' falling off. F) White with green, purple and orange icing on face and yellow on top of skull. Red and blue foil cross set in white icing on top of skull. Green sequin eyes. 'Lancha' typed in black ink and set in pink icing on front of skull. Marked discolouration on top of skull, icing starting to crumble. G) White with orange and purple icing on face and blue on top of skull. Gold foil heart set in white icing on top of skull. Red sequin eyes. 'Raul' typed in black ink and set in yellow icing on front of skull. Marked discolouration on back of skull, icing starting to crumble.
Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Field collection)
Collected by Kristin Norget in 1990
Event Date 1990
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Production / use)
Kristin Norget: 'Sugar skulls of various sizes are purchased in special Day of the dead markets (or tiainguis) erected alongside the normal everyday markets in the weeks leading up to the fiesta. At the customer' s request at the time of purchasing , any name can be added to the forehead of the skull written in icing or type-written on a little piece of paper there in the market and then stuck on. These smaller miniature skulls are sometimes placed on the altar made for the 'augelitos' (baby souls) at the time of the Day of the Dead. The souls of angelitos are believed to arrive a day earlier (i.e. October 31) than those of the 'Grandes' (adult souls) who arrive on November 1.'
Event Date 1990
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Calvera de Azucar or small sugar skull used as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations. Hollow skull shape decorated with white, yellow, green, orange, pink and purple piped sugar; red sequin eyes, and gold foil in a heart-shape on the top of the skull. Label with 'Elia' typed in black ink adhered to the forehead.
Event Date 1/7/2021
Author: Katrina Dring