Mexican Artisan's Hand-Carved Foosball Table with Mayan and Aztec Gods Wins National Prize

Luis Jesús Vázquez Gabriel, a Mexican artist, has hand-carved a fully functional foosball table from cedar and ayacahuite wood, adorned with pre-Hispanic designs. Named 'Legado de Dioses' ('Legacy of Gods'), this artwork took six months to finish using traditional methods. Instead of conventional players, it showcases a battle between Mayan and Mexica (Aztec) deities, interspersed with modern soccer elements and ancient iconography. The dimensions of the table are 110.63 inches in length, 45 inches in height, and 45 inches in width. It was a highlight at the 2026 Banamex Folk Art Cup, hosted by Fomento Cultural Banamex, where it triumphed in the Carved or Painted Wood category out of more than 900 submissions. Vázquez, 30, operates the family workshop ARTETIZA in Tlaxcala, central Mexico, focusing on preserving regional woodcarving traditions through various handcrafted items. He expressed to La Jornada de Oriente that the accolade signifies pride and recognition for their family’s efforts, merging the sacred with the modern sport of soccer.