In San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, metalworking is more than a trade; it is a tradition that endures and is reinvented in each piece. This colonial city is recognized throughout Mexico for its artisanal work, such as polishing natural glass, clothing, and of course, metals; especially tin and iron, materials that artisans transform into railings, door knockers, plates, and other pieces of great beauty that evoke the colonial era.
Metalworking encompasses ancient techniques such as melting and carving metals, both precious and common, in a process that combines strength and precision. In Chiapas, this tradition dates back to the arrival of the Spanish in 1548, when the first metal craftsmen settled in the Barrio del Cerrillo in San Cristóbal. There they created unique works, such as iron crosses and lattices for churches, which have become emblems of local architecture and culture.
Among the most outstanding pieces of Chiapas metalwork are the decorated crosses and the “trees of life,” artistic representations of the Christian faith and spiritual connection, inspired by the medieval tradition where the cross symbolized the axis of the cosmos. Each of these works is hand-forged in family workshops and usually transmits the fervor and skill of the artisan who created it.
Family heritage and cultural legacy
An example of dedication to this tradition is Guadalupe Hermosillo, originally from Tapachula and resident in San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Hermosillo adopted metalwork thanks to his wife, María Flores Nájera, who comes from a family with generations dedicated to metal work. Today, together with his children Gerardo, Cristóbal and Paola, Hermosillo continues this work in a family workshop where each member contributes their skills, keeping alive a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Hermosillo’s passion and dedication to the conservation and innovation of metalwork have earned him important recognitions, such as the Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas award in 2002, the highest artisan award in the state. He has also been included in the works “Great Masters of Popular Art in Mexico” and “Great Master Artisans of Chiapas,” which recognizes his contribution to the culture of Chiapas and Mexico.
A museum dedicated to the art of metal
For those who wish to learn about this tradition, the National Museum of Metalwork in San Cristóbal de Las Casas offers a collection of unique pieces that celebrate the heritage of master artisans. On Av. La Jardinería, this museum invites visitors to explore the shapes and colors of iron, in a tour that reflects the talent and history of local artisans.
Hail covers communities in San Cristóbal in white
San Cristóbal de Las Casas continues to be a bastion of metalwork in Mexico, where the past and present are intertwined in each work, and where the art of metalworking continues to tell the story and identity of this Chiapas region.
Source: elheraldodechiapas
