Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery
Encyclopedia
The former monastery of Santo Domingo/Museo de la Laca (Lacquerware
Museum) is located in the city of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas
, Mexico
. The monastery with its church was built in the 16th century, with the monastery secularized later. The church retains its original function. The building with two courtyards was restored between 1999 and 2002 to become a community and cultural center, with the Museo de la Laca, founded in 1952, moved inside to take up much of the upper floor. This museum contains about 450 pieces from various parts of Mexico and Asia
, mostly made in the 20th century. The complex also contains halls with permanent and temporary exhibits along with an auditorium and various types of workshops.
, in the second half of the 16th century, attributed to Pedro de Barrientos and Juan Alonso. The church portion is one of the best preserved from the 16th century in Chiapas. The former monastery is behind the large church with two main courtyards. It was secularized during the Reform War
with the church retaining its original function. It underwent its most recent restoration between 1999 and 2002 in order to make it a community and cultural center for the city of Chiapa de Corzo, with the Museo de la Laca moving into it. It, along with other facilities and operations, is managed by the Consejo Estatal para la Cultura y la Artes of Chiapas (CONECULTA). The entire building is officially called the Casa Escuela de Tradiciones but it is most commonly called the Museo de la Laca, although this museum only takes up most of the upper floor.
, Quiroga
, Uruapan
, Olinalá
, Guerrero
as well as Chiapas
. There are foreign pieces from Guatemala
, China
, Thailand
and Japan
. There are demonstrations on the lacquering process.
Lacquerware has a double history in Mexico. There was a form of it in the pre Hispanic period called “maque” ” evidence of which was found in the La Garrafa Cave in Chiapas. However, the Spanish also brought their version which had come to Europe from Asia earlier. Painting ceramics and other household items in bright colors and intricate designs did have a long history in the Mesoamerica
n period. The change brought about after the Conquest was in style with floral and bird patterns coming to dominate. Later, Asian imports brought via the Manila Galleon
would also have an effect on style.
Traditional Mexican lacquerware is based on the oil of a seed called chia as well as that of a plant called chiclote. This seed is toasted and ground then pressed for its oil, which is then mixed with a waxy substance from the female of the Coccus axin insect species. The mixture is colored with dyes of mineral, vegetable and animal origin and used like paint on the objects. Lacquered items include gourds (often used as bowls or storage containers), toys, wood boxes and furniture as shown in the museum.
Regular events include workshops for children and adults in folk dance, marimba, painting, writings and recycling. There are also guided tours available. The museum also participates in exchanges with other cultural institutions nationally and internationally. It offers workshops in lacquer, Parachico masks, woodcrafts, pottery, embroidery and more.
Lacquerware
Lacquerware are objects decoratively covered with lacquer. The lacquer is sometimes inlaid or carved. Lacquerware includes boxes, tableware, buttons and even coffins painted with lacquer in cultures mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere.-History:...
Museum) is located in the city of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas
Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas
Chiapa de Corzo is a small city and situated in the west-central part of the Mexican state of Chiapas. Located in the Grijalva River valley of the Chiapas highlands, Chiapa de Corzo lies some 15 km to the east of the state capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The monastery with its church was built in the 16th century, with the monastery secularized later. The church retains its original function. The building with two courtyards was restored between 1999 and 2002 to become a community and cultural center, with the Museo de la Laca, founded in 1952, moved inside to take up much of the upper floor. This museum contains about 450 pieces from various parts of Mexico and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, mostly made in the 20th century. The complex also contains halls with permanent and temporary exhibits along with an auditorium and various types of workshops.
The former monastery of Santo Domingo
The former monastery complex was built along with the Santo Domingo church on a small hill overlooking the Grijalva RiverGrijalva River
Grijalva River, formerly known as Tabasco River. is a 480 km long river in southeastern Mexico. It is named after Juan de Grijalva who visited the area in 1518. The river rises in Chiapas highlands and flows from Chiapas to the state of Tabasco through the Sumidero Canyon into the Bay of...
, in the second half of the 16th century, attributed to Pedro de Barrientos and Juan Alonso. The church portion is one of the best preserved from the 16th century in Chiapas. The former monastery is behind the large church with two main courtyards. It was secularized during the Reform War
Reform War
The Reform War in Mexico is one of the episodes of the long struggle between Liberal and Conservative forces that dominated the country’s history in the 19th century. The Liberals wanted a federalist government, limiting traditional Catholic Church and military influence in the country...
with the church retaining its original function. It underwent its most recent restoration between 1999 and 2002 in order to make it a community and cultural center for the city of Chiapa de Corzo, with the Museo de la Laca moving into it. It, along with other facilities and operations, is managed by the Consejo Estatal para la Cultura y la Artes of Chiapas (CONECULTA). The entire building is officially called the Casa Escuela de Tradiciones but it is most commonly called the Museo de la Laca, although this museum only takes up most of the upper floor.
Mexican lacquer ware and the museum
The Museo de la Laca (Lacquerware Museum) was founded in 1952 and is the only one of its type. It contains a collection of 450 pieces which were made between 1906 and 1980, from PátzcuaroPátzcuaro
Pátzcuaro is a large town and municipality located in the state of Michoacán. The town was founded sometime in the 1320s, at first becoming the capital of the Tarascan state and later its ceremonial center...
, Quiroga
Quiroga, Michoacán
Quiroga is a municipality in the Mexican state of Michoacán. The municipal seat of Quiroga is also called Quiroga.-Geographic location:The municipality of Quiroga is located at the north of the State, at coordinates 19 º 40 'N latitude and 101 ° 32' west. At an altitude of 2080 meters above sea level...
, Uruapan
Uruapan
Uruapan is a city and municipality in the west-central part of the Mexican state of Michoacán. The city is the municipal seat of the municipality...
, Olinalá
Olinalá
Olinalá is a city and seat of the municipality of Olinalá, in the state of Guerrero, south-western Mexico.-Art:Olinalá is located in the state of Guerrero...
, Guerrero
Guerrero
Guerrero officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo....
as well as Chiapas
Chiapas
Chiapas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas is one of the 31 states that, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 118 municipalities and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutierrez. Other important cites in Chiapas include San Cristóbal de las...
. There are foreign pieces from Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. There are demonstrations on the lacquering process.
Lacquerware has a double history in Mexico. There was a form of it in the pre Hispanic period called “maque” ” evidence of which was found in the La Garrafa Cave in Chiapas. However, the Spanish also brought their version which had come to Europe from Asia earlier. Painting ceramics and other household items in bright colors and intricate designs did have a long history in the Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and...
n period. The change brought about after the Conquest was in style with floral and bird patterns coming to dominate. Later, Asian imports brought via the Manila Galleon
Manila Galleon
The Manila galleons or Manila-Acapulco galleons were Spanish trading ships that sailed once or twice per year across the Pacific Ocean between Manila in the Philippines, and Acapulco, New Spain . The name changed reflecting the city that the ship was sailing from...
would also have an effect on style.
Traditional Mexican lacquerware is based on the oil of a seed called chia as well as that of a plant called chiclote. This seed is toasted and ground then pressed for its oil, which is then mixed with a waxy substance from the female of the Coccus axin insect species. The mixture is colored with dyes of mineral, vegetable and animal origin and used like paint on the objects. Lacquered items include gourds (often used as bowls or storage containers), toys, wood boxes and furniture as shown in the museum.
Other facilities in the monastery building
In addition to this museum there are various other halls and spaces. Next to the halls dedicated to lacquer ware is a hall dedicated to Chiapa de Corzo artist Franco Lázaro Gómez. This exhibition includes many of his lithographs and other graphic arts as well as some early murals for a total of forty five pieces. His works focus on the legends, daily life, and people of his hometown. The Alejandrino Nandayapa Ralda Hall hosts temporary events such as exhibitions of art, photography and more. Matias de Cordova Auditorium accommodates eighty people and hosts a film club on Saturdays. There is also a hall dedicated to the history of the building, and one to a permanent display of photographs, as well as a store selling local crafts including lacquered items. These halls surround two main patios, and fronted by various corridors built from the 16th and 17th centuries.Regular events include workshops for children and adults in folk dance, marimba, painting, writings and recycling. There are also guided tours available. The museum also participates in exchanges with other cultural institutions nationally and internationally. It offers workshops in lacquer, Parachico masks, woodcrafts, pottery, embroidery and more.