An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist
An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket  by Unknown artist

An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket 1626 - 1650

Unknown artist

SilverLacquer
8 ⨯ 13 ⨯ 6 cm
Currently unavailable via Gallerease

Zebregs & Röell - Fine Art - Antiques

  • About the artwork
    An important Spanish colonial Barniz de pasto lacquer casket with the Jesuit IHS monogram and silver mounts

    Colombia, 1625-1650

    ​L. 13.3 x W. 6.9 x H. 8.4 cm

    The surface of the casket has been richly decorated in colourful barniz de pasto lacquer. The subject matter of the decoration involves, at the front; a boy riding a fantasy animal, a monkey with a human face and a bonnet playing the guitar, at the back; a predator catching a rabbit, another animal with a human face wearing a bonnet, at one side; a human figure coming out of a horn-shell, at the other side; a bird coming out of a horn-shell, the lid with two lions and all over, various birds among scrolling vines with exotic flowers and leaves. The inside of the lid is decorated with the monogram IHS, an abbreviation of the name of Jesus Christ, with a cross, and a heart pierced by three nails. This symbol was adopted by Ignatius of Loyola as general of the Jesuit Society of Jesus. Lock missing.

    The indigenous lacquer traditions in Mexico and Colombia started because the demand in Spain and Spanish America for expensive Asian lacquerware exceeded the supply brought from Asia to Acapulco on the Manila galleons. Therefore, artisans in Mexico and Colombia began to apply their skills to the production of local lacquerware.

    Barniz de Pasto is a lacquer-like technique made of plant extract, called mopa mopa, a translucent pale green natural sticky resin applied to wood. Mopa mopa is obtained from the garbanzo-bean-sized leaf buds of the mopa mopa tree (Elaegia pastoenis Mora), native to the tropical rain forests of southwest Colombia. The indigenous people of the Sibundoy Valley supplied the resin-covered leaf buds, pressed into blocks, to the lacquer artisans in Pasto. The long process of working the raw mopa mopa began with removing all impurities, then small amounts of the gummy resin were chewed or boiled in water to make it sufficiently elastic to stretch it into thin sheets by pulling in opposing directions by hands and teeth. Finally, the very thin sheets were applied with heath to a wooden object. The resulting layer provided an exceptionally durable, waterproof surface, impervious to most organic solvents and ready to be decorated.

    The naturalist-explorers Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa visited Pasto in 1740 and remarked that barniz de Pasto ‘rivalled the best Asian lacquers in its colours’ beauty, shine, and durability.’
  • About the artist

    It might happen that an artist or maker is unknown.

    Some works are not to be determined by whom it is made or it is made by (a group of) craftsmen. Examples are statues from the Ancient Time, furniture, mirroirs, or signatures that are not clear or readible but as well some works are not signed at all.

    As well you can find the following description:

    •“Attributed to ….” In their opinion probably a work by the artist, at least in part

    •“Studio of ….” or “Workshop of” In their opinion a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision

    •“Circle of ….” In their opinion a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil

    •“Style of ….” or “Follower of ….” In their opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil; may be contemporary or nearly contemporary

    •“Manner of ….” In their opinion a work in the style of the artist but of a later date

    •“After ….” In their opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist

    •“Signed…”, “Dated….” or “Inscribed” In their opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist. The addition of a question mark indicates an element of doubt

    •"With signature ….”, “With date ….”, “With inscription….” or “Bears signature/date/inscription” in their opinion the signature/ date/ inscription has been added by someone other than the artist

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