Flower Pot (Handmade)

Michoacán has the largest number of handicraft processes in Mexico, the result of a fusion of cultures that is manifested in a varied craftsmanship, of great aesthetic value and diversity of techniques. It has the largest number of artisan processes in Mexico distributed in its seven regions, the result of a fusion of cultures that have evolved from the utilitarian to the decorative. The capulineado technique, of great international recognition, is inspired by the capulin flower, and consists of decorating the clay with fine dots of various sizes based on the figure of a flower. The dots that form the flowers can be as small as the size of a pinhead, which implies that the artisans use fine brushes and meticulous hours of work. The pottery of Capula, Michoacán is made with brown charanda clay, it maintains the indigenous tradition with Spanish influence due to the cultural symbiosis, it is considered a totally mestizo pottery. This vase, molded, burnished and detailed completely by hand, stands out for the stripes of the decoration in capulin flowers in blue and white colors, on the base in natural clay tone. The capulineado is a decorative craft technique originating from Capula, which means place of capulines in Nahuatl. It is inspired by the capulin flower and its fruit, and consists of decorating the surface of the clay with small, fine dots using mineral pigments, which are therefore natural and lead-free. The pottery tradition in this craft center was taught by Vasco de Quiroga to the Purepecha indigenous community, resulting in a fusion of Spanish and indigenous techniques. The pottery trade in Capula is the basis of the local economy. Following its traditional mechanisms, the elaboration is of family character, in which all the members of the family participate actively, each one with specific tasks. In addition to the great poverty and lack of basic education among the peasant population, handicrafts are a basic activity along with agriculture and the only means of obtaining cash income without the danger of selling or alienating the harvest. Crafts are also an economically productive activity in which all members of the family can participate, regardless of age or gender. Currently, the traditional pottery of Capula, the dotted pottery and the Catrinas of Capula have a Denomination of Origin.