Degollado Reproducciones Pre-Hispanicas
Pre-Hispanic Reproductions

Pre-Columbian refers to the time in the Americas before the 16th century - before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492 with the first wave of European colonists/invaders. The Degollados focus on art found in tombs and burial sites found in "El Occidente de Mexico," a region that includes the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Aguascalientes, Michoacán, Colima and Guanajuato.

Some of the Degollado pieces are barro bruñido, a technique whereby the clay is rubbed and rubbed after it has been fired to burnish it to a lovely sheen such as these wonderful pieces to the right. The photo to the far right is Chupicuaro Flaco, origin Guanajuato and is a reproduction of the original piece authorized by INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico City). Each piece is made by hand and is one-of-a-kind - molds are not used.

Their workshops utilize the same principles used centuries ago to produce ceramics or pottery. The photo at the far left is what the clay looks like before water is added (2nd photo). The third photo illustrates how each piece is made - notice the body and legs are crude and unformed - a finished piece sits to the right. Each piece is shaped by hand. First the clay is ground into very fine dust and strained to remove impurities. Next water is added to make the clay into a workable medium. Natural earth pigments are used as paint to add the finishing details to each piece and the technique of burnishing with a stone is employed on the bruñido (burnished) ceramic pieces.

Once a piece has been formed it is left to dry 3 to 4 days before firing in brick kilns. The paints are burned into the piece during the firing. Next, spots are added known as "mushroom patina". It is these spots that transform the work into what appears to be an authentic pre-columbian piece of art.

The Aztecs, who are also known as the Mexica (pronounced "meh-SHEE-kah"), were nomadic, warlike people who arrived in central Mexico from the north in the late 13th century AD. They were not well received by the established descendants of the Toltecs, and wandered around the area for decades until 1344, when, according to legend, they received the sign that they should build their city Tenochtitlan. The sign was an eagle devouring a snake on a cactus patch. The eagle and snake remain the national emblem today.

Valley of Mexico, (modern-day Mexico City) and in 70 years they expanded their territory to create the largest empire in the history of Mesoamerica. Only a few peoples were able to resist the Aztec onslaught: The Purepechas of Michoacán, the Tlaxcaltecas to the east, and some Mixteca tribes in the southern state of Oaxaca. The Aztecs used political alliances with neighboring peoples, as well as strict military training among their young men, to extend their empire.

The peoples who settled throughout this large empire made historic contributions to science and the arts. Extraordinary examples have been unearthed showing them to be goldsmiths and ceramicists of the highest caliber. Today, we can admire that greatness in museums or private collections throughout the world. Because pieces of art have survived the centuries science has been able to study the customs and traditions of these cultures (Mayan, West, Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacana etc.) during the Mexican pre-hispanic period. (The figure on the right in the photo above right is El Señor de Palenque, an elegan man wearing a loincloth called an Ex and a bracelete and a necklace of jade. The feather-like design that extends from his head to the bird mask identifies it as a turkey called Kutz in Mayan.)

Degollado also manufactures reproductions in bronze, this medium guaranteeing the preservation of the art piece by many more years. Their work is so precise and detailed, they have been asked to make miniature replicas which are then used for jewelry.

Years ago, Chapala had many potters living here. When the lake receded, many of them left the area to find work elsewhere. Three families who live in nearby Ixtlahuacan work with the Degollado family in hopes of regenerating much of the ceramic art that used to be produced in this area. One of the more unusual pieces made here is this Arbol de la Vida (tree of life). It is exquisite and very different from the trees of life found in the Metepec, Mexico area. The colors are natural earth pigments and muted unlike the Metepec trees of life that are normally rich, vibrant colors.

Gerado Degollado is the current Presidente Municipal de Chapala. He is dedicated to improving the quality of education in Mexico and working together with Latin American communities in the United States to broaden and strengthen relations between the two countries. He is also committed to bringing more cultural events to the Chapala area and was eager to join Feria Maestros del Arte in its endeavor to increase awareness of Mexican folk and indigenous art.