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Art History Virtual Exhibition

Red Bird with Yellow and Blue Feathers Ornament Mixtec Mestizo culture Early 21st century Tin and paint, L. 11.3 cm x W. .5 mm x H. 10.2 cm BFPC collection #2003.14

Oaxacan Metal Folk Art: Researched by Codee Ratliff

October, 2020 by Sarah Teel

Oaxacan metal art, also known as hojalata or “tin art,” is a folk art development that became popular on the tourist trade in the 20th century.  While the use of tin is relatively recent, this artform has deep roots in Precolumbian Mesoamerican metallurgy.  Artists of the Postclassic period (900-1521 CE) Mixtec cultures of Oaxaca created elaborate metalwork jewelry designs in gold, silver, and copper using the techniques of lost-wax casting and of forging and repoussé, or hammering the metal into shape. Traditional Mixtec metalwork was often religious, depicting gods, goddesses, and sacred symbols.  Today, descendants of the Mixtec and Mixtec Mestizo (mixed Native and Spanish heritage) artists of Oaxaca make elaborately forged tin metal ornaments that also have religious themes, but these take the form of Christian characters and symbols–and perhaps symbols that developed from both indigenous and Christian imagery.

 

Polychrome Three-Dimensional Shooting Star Ornament
Mixtec Mestizo culture
Late 20th century
Tin and paint, L. 9 cm x W. 2.5 cm x H. 18 cm
BFPC collection #1988.l

This ornament is made of two sheets of forged and repoussé tin to create a three-dimensional, 11-pointed star form with a twisted tin-strip tail.  The form of the star is meaningful, as star images hold importance in both Christian and ancient Mesoamerican religions.  In Christianity, the star of the Nativity is often depicted as a shooting star, and this is especially significant in an object that was likely made to serve as a Christmas ornament.  Ancient Mesoamericans, however, were avid astronomers, watching and tracking the stars as part of their ritual calendar system; stars also figured prominently in Mesoamerican religion, with deities such as Star Skirt, the personification of the Milky Way and the mother of all the stars.  This star ornament, therefore, could draw from both of these sources of inspiration. Researched by Codee Ratliff

Blue Donkey with Red Hooves and Golden Saddle Ornament
Mixtec Mestizo culture
Early 21st century
Tin and paint, L. 10.5 cm x W. .5 mm x H. 8 cm
BFPC collection #2003.13

This ornament was cut from a single piece of tin, formed with forged and repoussé details, and painted in the vibrant colors of blue, red, and golden yellow.  Donkeys are common beasts of burden still used in the Oaxaca region, but this donkey could refer to the traditional Mesoamerican religious belief in naguals, which is the belief that humans could transform into a supernatural animal.  But, this donkey could also be a Christian symbol, as Mary is often depicted as riding a donkey to Bethlehem, and donkeys are also often pictured in Nativity scenes. Researched by Codee Ratliff

Red Bird with Yellow and Blue Feathers Ornament
Mixtec Mestizo culture
Early 21st century
Tin and paint, L. 11.3 cm x W. .5 mm x H. 10.2 cm
BFPC collection #2003.14

This ornament, like the Blue Donkey and the Cactus ornaments, is made from a single piece of forged and repoussé tin, and it represents a bird.  Birds were important in Mesoamerican religion and society, such as the Quetzal bird, with its long, iridescent, blue-green feathers.  Certain birds were also important in Christianity, such as the dove.  Because this bird represents a swallow, this bird was most likely meant to celebrate birds in general, as beautiful birds are abundant in Mexico today. Researched by Codee Ratliff

Green Cactus with Red Flowers Ornament
Mixtec Mestizo culture
Early 21st century
Tin and paint, L. 9.2 cm x W. .5 mm x H. 11 cm
BFPC collection #2003.15

Like the Red Bird and the Blue Donkey ornaments, this ornament is made from a single piece of forged and repoussé tin, and it represents a cactus.  Mexico is home to many species of cacti, which are resources used since ancient Mesoamerican times for many purposes, including food and textile fiber; detailed information about these cacti are recorded in Mesoamerican codices.  This ornament represents the prickly pear cactus, and the pads and the fruits of this cactus are still popular as foods today. Researched by Codee Ratliff

 

 

For more information, you may contact the researcher(s) noted in the title of this exhibit entry, or Dr. Billie Follensbee, the professor of the course, at BillieFollensbee@MissouriState.edu

Filed Under: 2017 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica Tagged With: bird, cactus, donkey, late 20th century, mixtec mestizo culture, ornaments, repousse, shooting star

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Categories

  • 2017 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2017 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2018 Fall, ART 385: Art of the Americas
  • 2019 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2019 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2020 Fall, ART 487: Art of the Americas

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