Hand-Painted Multi-Colored Tin
by Angel Valdez and Sons

Before its conquest by Spanish explorers in the 1500s, the native people of Mexico and Central America created objects of great beauty from their natural resources. In ancient Mexico, gold, silver, and copper were plentiful and accessible, and from those metals, the Aztec people created masterpieces of jewelry, masks, and sacred objects. However, as the Spaniards conquered the native people, they melted down the beautiful jewelry and sent it back to Europe, dug mines, made slaves of the Aztecs, and forbad them to use precious metals. Of necessity, the Indians turned to tin.

With their skill in metalwork, they soon created beautiful mirror frames, jewelry, ornaments, and candle holders with the shiny, malleable metal. A new form of art thus arose out of political and economic necessity. Much tin work today comes from the city of Oaxaca, home to a very large native Indian population.

Drawing on his heritage, Angel Valdez and his sons are among those tinsmiths who have an exquisite sensibility, producing unique and varied pieces. To begin, they draw or etch the figure onto the thin sheet of tin using a pattern or template and, starting at the edges, begin to cut out the profile of the figure with long shears. They then use pliers and fine quality tools to create patterns and shapes in the tin. Afterwards, the piece takes on a life of its own as it is hand-painted in vibrant, vivid colors.

To order tin items, please call toll-free 888-474-8680 or locally 512-474-8680. Or email us at info@elinterior.com

#TIN01 Butterflies - Set of Three
To hang on the wall; different color combinations are available

Large - 7"W x 10"H
Medium - 5"W x 7.5"H
Small - 4.5"W x 6.5"H

$19.50 set
SOLD OUT

El Interior
1009 West Lynn
Austin, TX  78703
p. (512) 474-8680
info@elinterior.com
www.elinterior.com