Sacred Heart Nicho 'Siempre Tuyo' ~ 'Always Yours'

A hand-painted steel nicho — a devotional shadow box rooted in Mexican Catholic and folk tradition — produced by El Santo Madrazo at Cielito Lindo Estudio, marked "Hecho en México." The form replicates the corazón sagrado (sacred heart), a symbol of divine love and spiritual offering central to Mexican popular religion. Cut and formed in cobalt-blue lacquered steel with gold-painted flame edges, the front carries seven cast silver-tone milagros — small votive charms historically offered at shrines to petition or give thanks for miracles — each cast in the sacred heart form. Hand-painted clouds fill the flame crown, and clusters of folk flowers scatter across the face in red, yellow, white, and black. A white banner reading "Siempre Tuyo" — Always Yours — arches above the central heart-shaped glass panel door, which latches shut over the shadow box interior. Inside, a romantic floral print lines the back wall while hand-painted clay Día de los Muertos skeleton figurines occupy the foreground, merging the themes of love and mortality that run through much of Mexican folk art. The embossed reverse retains its wire wall-mount hanger and original maker's label.

CONDITION

Excellent. No damage; paint surfaces are vivid with no losses, and the glass panel, latch, and wall-mount hardware are fully intact and functional.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 12 7/8" H × 7 1/4" W × 1 1/2" D
• Construction: Hand-painted steel
• Door: Glass panel with latch closure
• Milagros: 7 cast silver-tone sacred heart charms
• Interior figures: Hand-painted clay
• Wall mountable: Yes, wire hanger on reverse
• Origin: Mexico (Cielito Lindo Estudio / El Santo Madrazo)