There are many different artisan
goods carved in wood, such as,
masks, guitars, kitchen utensils,
orange-wood combs, toys, and
alebrijes (mythical figurines)
which are among the most popular,
and are made in the towns of
Arrazola and San Martín Tilcajete.
The traditional pottery of Oaxaca
originated in a handful of villages.
Atzompa is one of the most important
ceramic working towns. The ceramic
they work is glazed in light
brown and green, ideal for decoration.
The most famous Oaxacan pottery
is the black clay pottery from
San Bartolo Coyotepec. In both
places the artisans use age old
indigenous methods.
In many regions of the Valleys of Oaxaca people weave palm
fronds to make baskets, bags, cages, lamps and many other
unusual and useful items.
The city is an important cutlery forging center. The native
metalworkers have their closely guarded secrets they pass
on from generation to generation. The blades of some knives,
with bone, deer or cattle horn, are inscribed with phrases
sayings poems or amusing notes on life.
Over the centuries the master iron workers have become
famous for their prestigious machetes from the coastal towns
of Juquila and Jamiltepec, the artistic grillwork of Tlacolula
is particularly noteworthy.
Jewelry is still produced using many of the traditional
techniques and tools. Of the variety of materials designs
and filigrees, the reproductions of the jewelry found in
Monte Albán are particularly impressive because of their
high quality and fine workmanship.
In leather work, you can find
saddles, embroidered and engraved sheaths for machetes and
knives and other items such as cigarette cases, wallets,
belts and briefcases.
Visitors are impressed by the variety, quality and originality
of the hand made textiles, dyed with natural colors like
cochineal. One example are the wool rugs and blankets woven
in the towns of Santa Ana and Teotitlán del Valle on treadle
looms in designs that range from pre-Hispanic codicils and
idols to reproductions of works by artists like Rufino Tamayo,
Francisco Toledo, Picasso, and Esher.
The tin workers do wonders with
their hand pressed and painted works of decorative art and
ornaments.
