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

Colonial chest; New Spain (Mexico). Olinalá, in present-day Guerrero state, 18th century
“Maque chest decorated with animals and plant motifs”
Wood lacquered using the traditional Mexican maque technique.
Measurements: 24 x 24 x 39.5 cm.

This chest is an outstanding example of the Mexican lacquer tradition that developed during the Viceroyalty of New Spain, one of the most original expressions of Spanish-American decorative arts. Its significance lies in the combination of a craft technique with pre-Hispanic roots, a form of design of European origin, and an ornamental repertoire enriched by artistic exchanges between the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The chromatic intensity, the profusion of animal and plant motifs, and the careful organization of the decorative surfaces link the piece to the renowned production of Olinalá, in the present-day Mexican state of Guerrero.

The chest has a rectangular wooden structure, topped by a slightly domed lid and hinged with metal hinges. The entire exterior surface is decorated with animal and plant motifs, rendered against a black background that intensifies the hallmarks of the reddish, orange, and ochre tones. The ornamentation is arranged in rectangular panels bordered by geometric borders and bands of repetitive motifs, which lend visual unity to the whole.

The front features a lively composition populated by quadrupeds, birds, butterflies, and small animals scattered among flowers, leaves, and stylized branches. Among the figures, deer-like animals, birds with striking plumage, and various creatures set against lush vegetation stand out. The motifs are arranged without naturalistic perspective, following an ornamental layout in which the figures are rhythmically distributed across the surface. Far from creating a disorderly composition, the abundance of elements generates a design of great dynamism and visual richness.
The lid and sides extend this decorative universe through new depictions of animals and floral motifs, framed by geometric borders. The alternation of figurative compositions and ornamental bands reveals a decorative approach that pays particular attention to the integration of the chest’s various surfaces. The use of a restricted color palette, dominated by orange-red and black, reinforces the unity of the whole and constitutes one of its most characteristic features.
The interior features a more subdued finish, in reddish and ochre tones, with a smooth surface that contrasts with the exterior’s profusion of ornamentation. The base, covered with a black finish, similarly demonstrates the treatment of surfaces not intended for display. This differentiation between interior and exterior reflects the functional and decorative nature of the piece, conceived as both a storage object and, at the same time, an element of status and prestige within the domestic sphere.

The tradition of Mexican maque has its origins in the indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, which developed specific techniques to protect and decorate surfaces by applying fats, oils, mineral earths, and pigments. During the viceregal period, these techniques were adapted to new forms and uses, giving rise to the production of objects of considerable artistic richness. Alongside traditional containers, such as gourds and trays, boxes, chests, and other items intended for storing personal belongings and valuables began to be produced.

Olinalá established itself as one of the main centers of Mexican lacquer production, preserving artisanal techniques that produced surfaces of great durability and vibrant color. Notable traditional techniques include “rayado” or “recortado,” which involves the selective layering and removal of color layers, and the so-called “dorado,” which consists of applying ornamental motifs with a brush. These techniques, passed down through generations of artisans, gave rise to a decorative style easily recognizable by its intense backgrounds, the precision of the design, and the abundance of plant and animal motifs.
One of the most historically significant aspects of New Spain lacquerware is its connection to the cultural exchanges that took place through trans-Pacific trade. Beginning in the late 16th century, the Manila Galleon facilitated the arrival in New Spain of numerous objects from China, Japan, and other Asian territories, including porcelain, textiles, and lacquerware. The spread of these luxury goods helped enrich the ornamental repertoires used by local workshops, which reinterpreted these new influences through their own techniques and traditions.
In this context, Mexican lacquerware developed a unique artistic identity, resulting from the interplay between indigenous techniques, European forms, and Asian-inspired decorative elements. Floral motifs, birds, and animals set against dense plant compositions, as well as a preference for dark backgrounds and chromatic hallmarks, are some of the characteristics of this style. This chest embodies that ornamental language, which was particularly prized in 18th-century domestic settings in New Spain.

The importance of these pieces has been recognized by institutions dedicated to the study of the decorative arts of the Americas. Among them are the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City, whose collections provide insight into the evolution of Mexican lacquerware and its role within the material culture of the viceregal period. The preservation of objects of this nature in major museums attests to the historical and artistic significance of a tradition that constitutes one of New Spain’s most distinctive contributions to the development of the decorative arts.