Handcrafts and folk art in the State of Mexico

While not as well documented as the work of other states, it does produce a number of notable items from the pottery of Metepec, the silverwork of the Mazahua people and various textiles including handwoven serapes and rebozos and knotted rugs.

There are seventeen recognized handcraft traditions in the state, and include both those with pre Hispanic origins to those brought over by the Spanish after the Conquest.

Pottery is the most commons handcraft and remains an important economic activity for the state, although most wares are still produced in the traditional manner, with little modernization or industrialization in technique.

[2] Metepec is the state's main pottery center, with a production that stands out for its variety and artistry, which has evolved slowly since the colonial period.

These are low fire pieces, and most are small, no more than thirty cm in height, but monumental versions are made as well such as the one that is in the collection of the Vatican museums.

[5][6] Most are also painted in bright colors such as magenta, red, blue, yellow, green, orange and purple but some are left unpainted.

[6] Temascalcingo makes high fire wares, a craft introduced during then governor Carlos Hank Gonzalez’s term to modernize production.

[8] Towns noted for their textiles include Jiquipilco, Tejupilco, Temascaltepec, Temoaya, Valle de Bravo, Zacazonapan, Toluca and Tenancingo.

In general items such as napkins, tablecloths, sheets, curtains, blouses, aprons, sets for kitchen and bathroom, can be found along with rugs.

Textiles include pieces woven from a cotton/wool mix, often decorated with multicolored flower and animal designs arranged geometrically on the cloth.

The work that goes into making the garments is generally divided among several artisans, specializing in a particular process: dying (especially if the ikat method is used), weaving and knotting the fringes.

These rugs average 140,000 knots per square meter, made of 100% virgin wool over cotton threads, and take between fifteen and twenty days to complete a piece sixty by ninety cm.

[12] The community of San Pedro Tultepec in the municipality of Lerma is noted for its production of handcrafted furniture, ranging from rustic colonial to modern European designs.

The main product is a kind of heavy hoop earring, with designs of flowers, butterflies and birds, commonly seen on Mazahua woman as they have cultural significance.

[17] The making of fireworks is distinctive in the state, especially in the municipalities of Tultepec, but they are also produced in Almoloya de Juarez, Axapusco, Tianguistenco, Tenancingo, Tenango del Valle, Otumba, Capulhuac, Coyotepec, Tecamac and Texcoco.

In Chimalhuacan, Acambay and Toluca, rough volcanic stone is worked in to molcajetes and metates, along with sculptures, columns, fountains, along with human and animal figures.

Toluca is best known for this work, followed by Amecameca, Ixtapan de la Sal, Ocoyoacac, Villa Guerrero, Tenancingo, Malinalco and Zacualpan.

The main season for these sweets in Day of the Dead (November 2), when skulls, bones and many other shapes are sold, especially at the annual Feria del Alfeñique, dedicated to this craft.

There is also basketry done in Amanalco, Donato Guerra and El Oro, distinguished with ornaments of high fire ceramic, brass and glass.

The pieces are worked with leather from cows, pigs, sheep and goats and often include other materials such as ixtle thread (piteado), bone buttons and iron clasps.

[10][25] Animal horn and bone are worked into a number of objects in the municipalities of Rayón and San Antonio la Isla to create combs, hair trusses, chess pieces, whistles, necklaces, earrings, keychains and more.

[2] In the pre Hispanic period, the best pottery makers in what is now the State of Mexico were the Matlatzincas, whose work was influenced by that of the Nahuas, producing urns, pots, incense burners, cups and plates.

[15] During the pre Hispanic period, the working of fine metals such as gold, and to some extent silver, developed to make luxury good for the elite.

During the colonial period, the indigenous were forbidden to work fine metals but this was lifted in the 18th century, acknowledging that the prohibition was ineffective.

From the 19th century on, with the rise of modern industry, handcraft production began to diminished as mass-produced goods were cheaper, and factory work provided better wages.

[8] A series of state handcrafts, including trees of life, jewelry, baskets and more are part of the collection of the Vatican museums.

[28] Another important institution is the Museo de Culturas Populares, part of the Centro Cultural Mexiquense, which is located on the former site of the main house of the La Pila Hacienda.