Silver encrusted in a Cooper Jar

Among the techniques mastered by ancient Michoacan people are martillado, or hammered metal, metal coating, metal casting with open and closed molds, one example being the so-called "lost wax". For metal work, as well as the techniques for other crafts, full time specialists were required. In the Tarascan society prior to colonization, people were grouped according to their major field of expertise

In ancient times, a privilege of the prevailing religious or political group was to own metal objects - mainly ornaments and jewelry. These were also objects offered to the gods or to the dead. In some cases, the objects produced were also used in daily work, which were made in sets using molds. Among the pieces manufactured, those that stand out are: needles, wires, pins, rings, fishhooks, bands, hoes, ornamental poles, special rings that were designed to be worn in the lower lip, bracelets, small bells, ear guards, pliers, punches, pipes and bowls. These objects could be made either in gold or in copper.

Cooper Jar with silver incrusted