Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico
The State of Michoacán is renowned in Mexico for the hammered copper of Santa Clara del Cobre, a town founded in 1530 after the construction of an enormous smelter for the nuns of the Order of Santa Clara. Around the end of the 17th century, a huge foundry fire burned down most of the town and the convent.
Reconstruction began in the early years of the 19th century, continuing the copper industry and establishing other businesses. Santa Clara reclaimed its stature as the quality producer of hammered copper tubs, trays, sinks and all forms of containers. Today, vases, ladles, skillets, pots and jewellery are fashioned with rustic tools, mallet, two-headed hammers, anvils and chisels.
There is an amazing array of copper products to choose from – it is almost overwhelming but we managed quite nicely.
We also saw a demonstration of how the copper is formed into various shapes. Just about 100% of the copper products are now made with recycled copper.
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| Darn, won’t fit in my suitcase |
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| very hot near that fire |
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| hammering the copper was hard, something a ‘queen’ shouldn’t have to do |
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| my brave knight |
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| Anna’s brave knight |
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| life as befitting a queen but wow the copper was hot |
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| my husband bought a lot of things at this store |
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| even the army knows a good thing when they see it |
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