This beautiful hand-made box comes from Olinala, a remote village high in the mountains of southern Mexico.

It is home to some of the finest Lacquer artists in the world.  The work they produce by hand today uses the same painstaking techniques, which have been used for centuries.

The lacquer pigments are created by mixing the oil of local seed, ash, earth and powdered colorants to create a thick paste.  This paste is applied to the piece in layers of color, and must be allowed to dry for 15 days between each layer.  Fanciful designs are drawn into the surface of the lacquer with a quill.

Depending on the style of each piece, the designs are embellished by etching through the top layer of lacquer to reveal the color beneath, or by painting delicate points of color around the designs.  Many artists form Olinala have won national as well as international recognition in recent years.  Their passion for their work can be seen in the beauty of each individual piece