Marassas’ Third — Paper Mache Skull by Ricardo Pustanio

Marassas’ Third  — Paper Mâché Skull by Ricardo Pustanio

Crafted by New Orleans artist Ricardo Pustanio, Marassas’ Third honors the divine twins of Vodou and the sacred mystery that unites them. This paper mâché skull captures the balance of duality and the unseen third — the wholeness born when creation, reflection, and spirit move as one.

✨ The Art
In the heart of creation there were never two, but three — for even the twins require the space between them to exist. The Marassa are that trinity: divine mirrors, sacred contradiction, and the mystery of unity that binds all opposites.

“Marassas’ Third” honors this eternal balance. The skull’s adornments — cowries, beads, and painted sigils — echo the laughter of the divine children, whose power predates all others. Their presence blesses homes with abundance, fertility, and protection, but also demands fairness, truth, and respect.

The “Third” here is not another spirit, but the sacred wholeness born when two become one — the invisible current that holds harmony, chaos, and creation in perfect tension.

Each mark and flourish on this piece reflects that sacred math: one plus one becomes three, and in that third, all mysteries are resolved.

✨ The Lore

In Haitian Vodou, the Marassa are among the first to be fed, for they are closest to Bondye — pure, ancient, and unspoiled by the limits of the world. They are the laughter between prayers, the spark of creation itself. Their number is three — the divine twins and the unseen one that binds them together — symbolizing the cycle of birth, reflection, and renewal.

In New Orleans, where sacred and profane dance together in the streets, the Marassa’s mystery takes on living form. They are the heartbeat between jazz notes, the mirrored masks at Carnival, the twin candles flickering on ancestral altars. The “Third” is the rhythm that unites them — that moment of stillness between drumbeats when all creation holds its breath.

This piece by Ricardo Pustanio carries that rhythm: a celebration of divine play, sacred symmetry, and the unbroken bond between worlds.

Due to the weight and dimensions of this piece, in-store pickup is encouraged when possible. If shipping is required, you may receive a partial refund if overcharged at checkout, or an additional invoice if the actual shipping and handling cost exceeds the amount paid.

🎨 About the Artist
Ricardo Pustanio is an internationally celebrated ritual artist, known for his sacred skulls, Vodou shrines, and large-scale installations. Former designer of the Krewe of Mid-City (1999–2020) and creator of the International Shrine of Marie Laveau, Pustanio’s work continues to evolve—bridging spirit, ceremony, and myth. His pieces are recognized around the world and have been requested by the International Museum of Arts and Civilisations of Vodun in Benin.