Olinala lacquer box from the town of Olinalá, Guerrero, Mexico

This is an Olinala lacquer box from the town of Olinalá, Guerrero, Mexico. These boxes are known for their distinctive, handcrafted designs, and the technique involves thick layers of oil-based paints. The boxes are typically made from the aromatic wood of the linaloe tree.
Here are some key features of Olinala lacquer boxes:
Material:
Made from the aromatic wood of the linaloe tree.

Technique:
Features a lacquering technique native to Olinalá, involving thick layers of oil-based paints.
Decoration:
Often embellished with different techniques of incising (rayado), painting (pintado and dorado), and sometimes gilding (plateado).
Craftsmanship:
These boxes are often crafted by entire families, with each member contributing to different stages of the process.
Historical Significance:
The craft has been passed down through generations via oral traditions and may pre-date European conquest.

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