This adorable cloth doll is a deathly, skeletal variation on the tradition of Lelé dolls commonly seen in tourist areas all around Mexico, with smiling faces, indigenous-like dress, and hair braided with colorful ribbons. This one-of-a kind, handmade doll was created by artist Juana Cleofas Felix and sourced in Mexico City’s historic Coyoacan district.

Her face is beautifully embroidered in traditional Day of the Dead make-up designs; on her forehead is a spider web, her eyes are black holes from which rays of color emit like a black sun, and her mouth has the traditional stitched look of a skull which includes stitched smile lines for a look of benevolence. She is a sweet baby. Woven through her hair and her braids are traditional ribbons. Her handmade dress, purple satin and lace is also of a traditional style.

The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is a traditional holiday in Mexico and many South American countries. Based on a syncretization of ancient pre-Hispanic and Christian beliefs, this celebration of the memory of deceased ancestors is celebrated from dusk on October 31st through November 1 (All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day).

Lelé dolls are the product of ancient indigenous people’s traditions synthesized with the traditions of the Spanish conquerers who came to Mexico in the 16th century. Lelé—which translates to baby—dolls are traditionally made by artisans of the Otomi people. In ancient times they were made from clay, with corn and palm hair, and left on the graves of babies and children to keep evil spirits away. When the Spanish came with toys and hard to get porcelain dolls, the rag doll as the Lelé doll is known, stepped in to fill the roll.

Some indigenous people see the Lelé doll as a tool and symbol of transcendence between this world and the next, but also a bridge between indigenous people and “the new residents.” It has been noted that because of the Lelé dolls popularity in recent years, foreign production has begun and tourists are warned against dolls not made by hand in traditional ways.

Our Lelé dolls are all handpicked in Mexico by Morbid Anatomy.

Handmade of cotton cloth, yarn, satin, and lace.

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14.5” X 9” X 4”