The Crafts of Mexico - Signed Copy

The Crafts of Mexico is a visual celebration of Mexican crafts, presenting page after page of full-color photographs alongside essays by leading art historians, interviews with and profiles of leading craftspeople, and appreciations by leading writers. The section on ceramics looks at the famous Talavera work from the colonial city of Puebla, and the fantastical creations of Tonalá and Metepec; detailed examinations of Mexican textiles, from Chiapas and Oaxaca, include histories of the weavings and a study of the symbolism in the patterns plus a special section on shawls. Basket weaving focuses on the well-known Seri baskets from Northern Mexico; tinwork spans from folk figures to cathedral alters; lacquerwork takes an in-depth look at Mexico’s adoption of this traditionally Asian craft; and much, much more. Beautifully illustrated, The Crafts of Mexico is sure to become the authoritative work.

Alberto Ruy Sánchez is a fiction and nonfiction writer, poet and essayist from Mexico City. Margarita de Orellana, Mexican historian and editor, is director of the magazine Artes de Mexico and the publisher of the same name. The authors are married and run an arts studio where they had the bookplates designed by Mexican artist/engraver Joel Rendón.  360-page hardcover book with 400 color photos and illustrations. 12.5"l. x 8.5"w. x 2"h.

Museum Provenance

Product is inspired by items in the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian and National Museum of Natural History.

Every Smithsonian purchase will arrive with a museum provenance card explaining how it is adapted from or inspired by an object or objects in our collection.