Handicrafts Oaxaca

barro negro pottery @ state crafts museum

because of indigenous tradition , abundance of raw materials, oaxaca leading producer of handcrafts in mexico. handcrafted items here noted variety , quality. oaxacan handcrafts traditionally made wood, wool, clay , leather , sold in many venues local tianguis markets upscale international stores. best-known wood craft making of alebrije figures, miniature, brightly colored real or imaginary animals. these created paper , cardboard in mexico city, craft adapted native oaxacan woodcarving form has today. carver manuel jiménez of arrazola credited creating of oaxacan version of craft. other wood crafts include making of masks, toys , utensils. major woodcarving areas include san martíntilcajete , arrazola.

alebrijes @ pochote market in oaxaca, méxico

pottery has long tradition extends pre-hispanic period. oaxaca shares many pottery types other parts of mexico along 2 of own: barro negro , green glazed pottery of atzompa. first centered in town of san bartolo coyotepec near capital city. pottery gets color local clay used make , shine technique developed doña rosa nieto in mid-20th century. atompa green-glazed ware made same way in colonial times, although there have been recent innovations color , decorative techniques. pottery found in santa maría atzompa, near oaxaca city.

another major craft category textiles. textiles cotton , other fibers date in pre-hispanic period on backstrap looms. form of weaving has been dominated women since time. spanish introduced wide european frame loom, used men. traditional clothing items such huipils still made on backstrap looms, while european looms used produce larger , heavier items such rugs, ponchos , blankets. items produced cotton or wool fibers, although maguey fibers can found , palm fronds used produce mats , hats. embroidery important part of indigenous clothing, women. 1 municipality noted indigenous , embroidered clothing santo tomás jalietza, south of city of oaxaca. xochimilco neighborhood of capital known embroidered tablecloths, napkins , other tableware.

both precious , non-precious metals worked in state. many gold , silver jewelry items made filigree (fine metal thread) weaved , wrapped shapes. technique arab in origin , introduced spanish. municipalities of santo domingo tehuantepec, juchitán de zaragoza , huajuapan de león known work. other metals, iron, forged utilitarian , decorative items in places such santiago jamiltepec , tlacolula de matamoros. items produced include mirrors, frames, figures, knives, machetes , more.