Artesanía-Crafts
To fully appreciate something, you must know its background and where it came from. There is no doubt that knowing the rich history history, origin, and evolution definitely adds to the beauty.
The History of Mexican Talavera
Mexico is known for its rich history, rich culture, and beautiful art! Handmade pottery, ceramics, and textiles have become trademarks of the Mexican folk art, but one of the most sought after is the Talavera. This beautiful ceramic art has gained worldwide acclaim for its high quality, beauty, colors and patterns.
In the 16th century and the during the Spanish colonization of Mexico Spanish monks and artisans began sharing new techniques with the local natives in the city of Puebla,. They introduced the potter’s wheel and tin-glazing, along with new colors and patterns. This led to the blend of centuries of indigenous craftsmanship with the styles of European/Asian/Arab style of pottery and ceramics. As a result, the Mexican Talavera was born! Puebla, Mexico became the original home of authentic Mexican Talavera and it is where the first potter’s guilds were formed in order to set standards and regulations for the production of Talavera to protect and preserve their products. The fame of their craftsmanship began to quickly spread. Churches and monasteries were decorated with vibrant Talavera products, everything from tiles, jars to religious figures. It did not take long for the demand to grow well beyond the borders of Mexico. Talavera began to be exported back to Europe, the United States and other countries.
This Article was Posted by Maggie for It's Cactus on Jul 12th 2021
This beautiful pottery is also designed, produced & sold in the mountain town of Santa Rosa de Lima on the route to Dolores Hidalgo.
There are as many shops as there are designs & they make it very affordable & easy to ship your purchases back to the U.S.
Lelé in Otomí means baby, so the true meaning of this craft is a baby doll. Among its characteristic features are the long braids, with crowns and ties of cheerful colors, as well as its traditional dress, since this represents the clothing of its creators: indigenous artisans of the Otomí, or Hñañu, indigenous group from Mexico.
This cute and colorful little doll was born in the Magic Town of Amealco, a municipality located in Querétaro, by a group of artisans from the communities of Santiago de Mexquititlán and San Ildefonso Tultepec, who have passed this artisan tradition from generation to generation.
The origin of Lelé arises from a fusion of pre-Hispanic traditions with Spanish customs. Although currently made of cloth and colored ribbons, it is believed that the first dolls were made with clay, palm, and corn fibers for hair. Tradition has it that these dolls were placed in children's tombs to ward off evil spirits from deceased children. Later, with the arrival of the Spanish, they transformed into a perfect alternative to toys imported from Spain, substituting mainly porcelain dolls that were more expensive and less accessible.
Like this, the Lelé doll has been a traditional toy for girls in Queretaro's indigenous communities, made with love by mothers and grandmothers who, for many generations, learned and taught their children how to make the Queretaro doll with cambaya fabrics, colored ribbons, and black yarn.
Although this was considered a craft within communities, Hñañu (Otomí) artisans started selling them as a traditional Mexican craft. This happened when nearly 10,000 artisans from the communities of Amealco organized themselves into a cooperative, and their effort and work increasingly positioned the Lelé doll. After a few years, the dolls became popularized and their sales increased thanks to the press and social media.
This trade, inherited from generation to generation, is now the livelihood of dozens of families. Its creation is one hundred percent handmade and has become almost a ritual for its creators. Such was the success of the Lelé doll that it was declared Cultural Heritage of Querétaro and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2018. It also has its own museum in Amealco De Bonfil, Queretaro (it's birthplace), and an iconic giant Lelé doll has toured the world, appearing in cities like London, China, and even Australia
This article is copied from :
https://lolomercadito.com/blogs/news/enchanting-the-world-lele-the-mexican-rag-doll
Otomí embroidery is the most characteristic embroidery in all of Mexico due to its shapes, colors, intricate and unique designs.
This embroidery represents the cosmovision of the Otomí-Tepehua people. A perfect representation of animals, nature and human beings.
The motifs in these embroideries represent daily life, weddings, cultural festivals, carnivals, day of the dead, farming, and religious rituals. This embroidery is usually woven on a cotton or linen canvas in a raw color (called blanket). However, over the years the colors have become much more innovative.
These woman did not read or write, but were historians through their art. Embroidery became a way of preserving their beliefs, knowledge, and history.
Originally, they embroidered in 2 colors, black and red, which meant the balance between good and evil.
Today, however, it is embroidered in more colors than you cold possibly imagine.
This decoration was only used to beautify clothes or scarves, which went out of style. During the famine in the 60's, the Otomí-Tepehua lost their harvests, and were forced to get ahead with what they knew best, their embroidery.
Previously, embroidery had never left the borders of their state.
