Jicalpextle is a cup or bowl made from fruit of the calabash tree and (especially in ruralMexico) is used to as a decoration, jewelery bowl, or any other festivitydecoration. The colorful design and flowers are a matching decorative to theIstmo de Tehuantepec dresses. Many artists such as Frida Khalo, Salma Hayekhave dressed with the typical dress that matches these types of bowls. These isnot a new item, however, it is considering by now an antic as they were used asa decoration by my grandmothers ever since I have a recollection. Thisjicalpextle used to be hanged by a nail on a wall and inside, some valuableswhere hidden like a safe box. You could see the decorations, not knowing thatbehind and inside valuables existed.

Pre-hispanic people found many uses for the calabash and modernMexicans still use them in much the same ways. In addition to jícara bowls andcups, the calabash shell is used for musical instruments, containers, etc.