I have talked about Mexican handicrafts and popular arts in many of my blog posts. You may have noticed two states that are mentioned again and again... Oaxaca and Michoacán. They are arguably the two states with the richest tradition of handicrafts.
While visiting the festival of tamales at the Museum of Popular Cultures, I went into one of the museum's galleries to see an exhibit of works by artisans and artists from Michoacán. Since pre-Hispanic times there has been a rich tradition of crafts and art from the indigenous Tarascan or Purépecha people. After the Spanish conquest, Vasco de Quiroga, the first bishop of Michoacán, encouraged each town to become a center for a particular industry. To this day, many towns throughout the state are noted for a one type of craft.
From left to right... A ceramic jar with the image of the Virgen of Guadalupe. It comes from the town of Tzintzuntzan, which once was the capital of the Purépecha Empire.
A papier maché figure from Pátzcuaro representing a dancer dressed for the Dance of the Little Old Men, the best known dance from Michoacán
Another ceramic jar from Tzintzuntzan protraying the fish in Lake Pátzcuaro
A silver box from Morelia, the state capital, with pictures created from feathers, an art form dating to pre-Hispanic times.
Elaborately painted gourd with 24 karat gold highlights from Pátzcuaro
Painted wooden plate from Pátzcuaro
This cotton "rebozo" (shawl) with a trim of birds' feathers was woven on a back strap loom in the town of Ahuipan.
A wool "gabán" (a poncho-like garment) made in Santa Clara del Cobre
A picture of the Virgen of Guadalupe made of birds' feathers from Morelia
Since pre-Hispanic times the Purépecha people were noted for their metal work. That tradition continues in the town of Santa Clara del Cobre, which is famous for its objects of hand-hammered copper.
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