The rich and elite have, for centuries, used silver and other precious metals for jewelry and decorative objects. I call tin, the poor man's silver, as it is widely used to create the same objects as those elaborated in silver, but at a much lower cost. Tin has wonderful properties that are friendly to artisans. Tin is inexpensive, readily available, soft, pliable and paintable.
In Mexico, tin art, known as Hojalata, is used widely by Mexican artisans and craftsmen to form both useful and ornamental objects ranging from purely fun to elegant and delicate. Only hindered by the imagination, tin artists produce candelabras, frames, ornaments, jewelry boxes, figures, lanterns, bowls, and even nativities. Often glass, mirror, talavera tiles and other materials are used to accent the tin work. Tin is also used in religious remembrances in nichos, votives and ex votos. On holidays, such as Day of the Dead and Christmas special tin objects are created to adorn the home.
The artist begins his work with a flat piece of tin. Using a pointed tool, the artist scores the tin with the intended design. Next, depending on the desired result, the design is cut using powerful shears. Cutting is generally done before hammering. The hammering, tooling and engraving process is done utilizing a wide array of hand tools to yield a variety of patterns. When the tooling begins, the tin is laid over leather, suede or heavy cloth to soften the blows of the hammering. The metal is smoothed, and then formed into the desired shape, be it box, frame or figure. The final step is the painting, if so desired, with aniline or other paints.
Tin art styles vary throughout Mexico. Tin artists from Oaxaca prefer to leave their pieces natural and shiny, or go to the other extreme, painting the objects with bright vibrant colors. The tin from San Miguel de Allende is put through a process to age or oxidize the tin before shaping it into the desired result. The famous Cielito Lindo Estudio, in San Miguel de Allende, creates legacy and highly collectible pieces using oxidized tin nichos painted in electric colored with humorous, cultural and religious motifs.
Source : Ezinearticles
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