Lacquer (Maque)
At once functional and beautiful, lacquer is a glossy coating applied over wood or gourd for protection or decoration. In a slow and laborious process, the surface is smeared with seed or insect oils, then covered with several coats of powdered minerals, which are repeatedly dried and polished before being painted.
A craft indigenous to Mexico, lacquer is now found in three regions—Michoacán (especially in the town of Uruapan), Guerrero (especially in Olinalá), and Chiapas (only in Chiapa de Corzo). There are also three basic techniques. Painting (aplicado or dorado) is done in all three regions, but encrusted or inlaid ware (embutido) is restricted to Michoacán, while incising or carving (rayado) is practiced only in Guerrero.
For inlaid pieces, a design is first laid down, and then parts of the pattern are cut out and the hollows filled in with another color. For the carved technique, two coats of contrasting colors are applied and the top coat is scraped away to create the design. For painting, designs are simply painted with oil pigments onto the lacquer surface.
Among the commonly lacquered forms are gourds, as well as wooden trays, dishes, and boxes. Decorations are flowers, leaves, people, birds, and other animals. Often these designs are folk versions of more urban painting styles. The popularity of this craft has waxed and waned during the 20th century. Recently, there has been an important renewal in the art of fine lacquerware.
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