Calavera Altar Papel Picado Banner

This mini papel picado banner is ready to decorate your Dia de los Muertos altar with a series of hand-chiseled calavera (skull) images. 10 banners in rainbow colors. Each banner measures approx. 3.5 x 5-inches; strand measures approx. 52" long.

Papel Picado is a traditional art, handmade by artisans in Mexico. The brightly colored tissue paper is handcut using chisels and a top pattern as a guide. Although papel de China (tissue paper) was originally brought to Europe from China and then to "New Spain" (Nuevo Espana), the indigenous people of Mexico had already been using handmade paper (amatl) along with the tradition of cut decorative and ceremonial images for centuries. Today, papel picado is used as decoration for all occasions, including religious ceremonies, weddings, and holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Dia de los Muertos (Dayof the Dead).