Nina's Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Art Doll Set in Tin Shrine
This "mini" Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Art Doll set, situated in a beautiful milagro-covered tin shrine, would make a great wedding or engagement gift, since it was inspired by their wedding portrait! It would also make a great anytime gift for any Frida Kahlo fan or folk-art lover! The piece is one of a kind--I made it for an exhibit at the Denver Botanic Gardens for Dia de los Muertos. This item is created by Nina Shope and is in no way affiliated with the Frida Kahlo Corporation.
Size: Frida—Approx 4 ½” tall, 1 ½” wide; Diego—Approx. 4 ¾” tall, 2” wide, joined at hand (one set). Mexican Tin Shrine—Approx. 10 ¾” tall x 7 ½” wide
These two dolls are incredibly detailed and took about 4 days to make. They are joined at the hand, and are holding a small heart locket (which does in fact open). The set was inspired by Kahlo’s 1931 wedding portrait of the couple. The Frida doll is wearing a traditional wedding costume (as Frida did for her wedding, and in her portrait): a green top and skirt and a red, gauzy shawl. Her skirt and shawl are made from recycled fabric. I added additional beadwork to the shawl. Frida is wearing a glittery silver and white rose in her hair, along with a turquoise and green ribbon. Diego is wearing a suit made entirely from beadwork, a blue shirt, and a wide grey belt. I embroidered his face using a lot of detail to try to make him resemble the real Diego (though he is lacking the voluminous belly). I tried to accurately mimic the proportions and simpler-folky painting style used in the portrait. Kahlo painted the wedding portrait two years after the pair was first married (Hayden Herrera 61).
The tin shrine box was made in Mexico. I embellished it by adding orange millinery roses to the top, painting the heart and adding glitter to it and to the center of the flower. I attached nine milagros (Mexican protective charms) to the outside of the box: they include two kneeling virgins, a guitar, a man’s head, a house, two clasped hands, an open book a mule, and a standing man. Inside the shrine, which I painted sky blue, I also added a flaming heart milagro with two bronze leaves (which look like wings to me) on either side. The shrine had a glass door that opens, and the dolls can be removed. The shrine has a hook on the back that you can hang it from. If you want to sit it down, you would have to balance it on a stand.
No single Snapdragon offering is exactly the same. Each is stitched, embroidered, beaded, and embellished by hand. The faces, energy, and details vary and come alive each time I sit down to craft a new piece. Snapdragon creations are unique artworks, special, magical, and powerful. I spend a great deal of time selecting the colors, textures, and details to include in each artwork. I want my creations to leave you feeling passionate, enlivened, and emotionally connected.
Each doll is lightweight and multi-textured, glittery, and colorful. The figure is cut from soft Ultrasuede fabric. The back is undecorated. I always strive to use recycled and repurposed fabrics and embellishments when I can.
I will include a write-up about my work, along with a high-quality greeting card featuring an image of Frida or her art that you can hang on your wall, set on your altar, pin to your vision board, share with a friend, or provide as a gift. I will ship your purchase USPS first class, with insurance.
