Artisans
 In
addition to the well known colonial art-work produced by painters,
carvers and metal-workers, there has been in Quito a tradition of
craftsmanship in wood, silver and iron, gilding, pottery, and glazing.
A porcelain factory was set up in the city in 1771,
which produced such fine pieces and handicrafts that they could well
have come into the hands of the king. The factory produced tiles,
crockery, appliqués, vases, candelabras, and beautiful human figures.
Beauty has always been a hallmark of Quito workmanship, and it has
never been seen better than in the miniatures in wax, bone, or ivory.
The Museum of Colonial Art houses many of these tiny jewels.
The Quito artisans inherited this tradition, and
continue to produce splendid work in wood, wrought iron, bronze,
silver, bone, horn, cloth, and embroidery. But
in Quito it is possible not only to see and enjoy the craftsmanship of
the city itself, but also works of art from all over the country.
The majority, and, incidentally, the best of
the work produced is exhibited and can be bought in Quito, in a
variety of large stores: leather-work from Cotacachi, in the
province of Imbabura, wood-carvings from San Antonio de Ibarra, a
village of carvers, woven woolen goods, in a variety of bright
colors and beautiful designs, made on the Indian looms of Otavalo,
a village famous for its weaving since the Spanish conquest. |
|
There is also an incredible variety of woven straw
from Montecristi, in Manabí, and the famous Panama hats wrongly named,
as they are made in Cuenca pottery from Chordelec, near Cuenca, and
many other exquisite products of the Cuenca region, as well as Indian
pottery, from the province of Tungurahua, and many other fine products
made by artisans up and down the country.
|
