Updated August 9, 2008

 Potters in the village of Ocumicho in the State of Michoacan have been working in clay since before the Spanish Conquest, making whistles for children and Pre-Columbian "idols."  When the Spaniards came, and introduced cointed money, they started making piggy banks.  In the 1960's, a villager by the name of Marcelino Vincente unearthed some of the ancient clay figurines.  He thought they looked like horned devils and began making his own imitations of these devils.  Before long, because of his success, most of the village started making devils and demons.  These early, often grotesque pieces featuring devils were later joined by suns, moons, skeletons and mermaids.  In the 1970's humor became very strong in the art.  Playful devils were shown riding motorcycles, learning to read in school, playing football, and driving Coca-Cola trucks. These impish figures even can be found in religious scenes such as nativities and last suppers.  More recently, even erotic "Ocumichos" have appeared on the scene.

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