Altars

In Latin America it is common to see decorative boxes called Nichos or Alters set upon tables and pedestals to display religious icons. These boxes may serve as a religious altar (to mark a significant religious event) or to honor a patron saint. Common structural conventions include hinged doors, carved borders, and multiple panels. Within the box there is a central figure or object for whose honor the nicho has been created. They are usually painted with striking colors, often contrasting bright and dark.