Olinalá
Encyclopedia
Olinalá is a city and seat of the municipality of Olinalá
, in the state of Guerrero
, south-western Mexico
.
In Olinalá there are artisan workshops that have passed the techniques for lacquer production from generation to generation since pre-Hispanic times. The wide variety of products made using these techniques ranges from products of everyday use, such as chests, folding screens, trays, to the famous “cajitas de Olinalá”, small lacquered boxes. These crafts are part of a long and laborious process that involves approximately 29 steps.
There are different techniques involved in the decoration of these works: golden on the lacquered wood is made with a very fine paintbrush made of cat hair. The “rayado vaciado” with two layers of lacquer; the “rayado punteado” and traditional decorations with bright colors. Each work is let dry for various days before applying the last step: a varnish with linseed oil.
The motifs in the decorations also vary. Generally, they are nature themes, and can range from flowers, foliages and landscapes to animals, with a strong preference for the rabbit. The result is a perfectly finished work, of lively colors and entirely unique.
Olinalá (municipality)
Olinalá is one of the 81 municipalities of Guerrero, in south-western Mexico. The municipal seat lies at Olinalá. The municipality covers an area of 1,028.1 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 22,645.-References:...
, in the state of Guerrero
Guerrero
Guerrero officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo....
, south-western Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Art
Olinalá is located in the state of Guerrero. It is considered the most important center for the production of lacquer in Mexico and for this is known worldwide.In Olinalá there are artisan workshops that have passed the techniques for lacquer production from generation to generation since pre-Hispanic times. The wide variety of products made using these techniques ranges from products of everyday use, such as chests, folding screens, trays, to the famous “cajitas de Olinalá”, small lacquered boxes. These crafts are part of a long and laborious process that involves approximately 29 steps.
There are different techniques involved in the decoration of these works: golden on the lacquered wood is made with a very fine paintbrush made of cat hair. The “rayado vaciado” with two layers of lacquer; the “rayado punteado” and traditional decorations with bright colors. Each work is let dry for various days before applying the last step: a varnish with linseed oil.
The motifs in the decorations also vary. Generally, they are nature themes, and can range from flowers, foliages and landscapes to animals, with a strong preference for the rabbit. The result is a perfectly finished work, of lively colors and entirely unique.