Colonial box; New Spain, Olinalá, 18th century.

Colonial box; New Spain, Olinalá, 18th century.
Wooden core and maque (Mexican lacquer).
Measurements: 24 x 24 x 39.5 cm.
This box is an example of the Mexican maque tradition, a decorative technique of pre-Hispanic origin that reached a remarkable level of development during the viceregal period. Crafted on a wooden core, it combines functionality with the ornamental character of a carefully worked surface, in which color and finish take center stage.
Olinalá, in the present-day Mexican state of Guerrero, was one of the main centers for the production of lacquered objects. Its workshops preserved indigenous techniques for preparing and applying lacquer, adapting them to new forms and uses during the colonial era. Beginning in the 17th century, this tradition expanded from pre-Hispanic vessels, such as jícaras, to boxes, chests, trunks, and other objects intended both for local consumption and for trade with Europe. Traditional maque is obtained by combining animal fats, vegetable oils, earth, and pigments, which are applied in successive layers to the surface. Among its historical components is fat extracted from the Llaveia axin insect, along with oils derived from seeds such as chia. This labor-intensive and specialized process produces durable surfaces with a rich color palette, which can be further enhanced through various ornamental techniques.
Olinalá’s production is particularly significant due to the convergence of indigenous technical traditions and the material culture of New Spain. European forms of furniture and storage were incorporated into a craft tradition predating the conquest, giving rise to objects in which different styles and needs coexist.