Punzo family (copper crafts)

The Punzo family contains two of the best known copper and silver smiths located in Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán, Mexico.

[1][2] Their workshops are located in the town of Santa Clara del Cobre, which is about twelve km from Pátzcuaro and part of a region with a long history of handcrafts, passed down generations.

[4] Hammers, tongs and other tools are found on workshop walls and tables and the copper is heated in a large wood-fired forge.

[5] Then the copper pieces are put into a large pot of boiling water in order to give them their distinctive color.

[6] To give pieces an added shine, they are treated with sulfuric acid, soap, water and steel wool.

[3] The workshop has had a number of famous clients including former Mexican president Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

[1] Abdón sons, José Abdon, Carlos, and Luis Felipe all began working with their father at a very young age.

[1][4][6] His son Luis Felipe Punzo Chávez has won awards for his work, for pieces that can take months to create.