Silver Forged Mexican History Exhibited

MEXICO CITY.- Wealth, refinement, exploitation, faith…hundreds of stories hide in the 500 pieces part of the “Plata. Forjando México” (Silver. Forging Mexico) exhibition, to be opened at the National Museum of Viceroyalty (MNA) in Tepotzotlan, Estado de Mexico in June 2010.

Details of the show were announced in a press conference organized by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). 33 Colonial silver objects from Canary Islands and important Mexican heaps will be displayed.

Cecilia Genel Velasco, director of the National Museum of Viceroyalty, explained that the rareness of the collections as well as the novelty of the museographic proposal will make this one of the most noticeable shows at the space she directs, and the visit of 250,000 persons is expected.

The Spanish heap, integrated by 33 pieces, represents the 10 per cent of the collection safeguarded in Canary Islands that have in common that were created in American Viceroyalties: Almost all of them are still used in the Catholic rite and are guarded in temples

The Spanish heap, integrated by 33 pieces, represents the 10 per cent of the collection safeguarded in Canary Islands that have in common that were created in American Viceroyalties: Almost all of them are still used in the Catholic rite and are guarded in temples.

The exhibit “Plata. Forjando México” includes key objects from the museums of Viceroyalty and Franz Mayer, 77 private and public museums, as well as from personal collections, displayed with the aim of remarking the importance of this activity (silversmith) in the 18th century, when Novohispana society began imaging independence.

Thematic units of the show are: From Mineral to Precious Metal; the Silversmiths Trade; Splendor at the Altar and Prestige at Home; The Fortunate Canary Islands (curated by Dr. Jesus Perez Morera, from Universidad de la Lagna, Tenerife); Mexican Silver, Base of Commercial Routes; and Heritage and Tradition, Contemporary Silverwork.

Alma Montero, curatorship coordinator, mentioned that visitors will be able to learn about one of the most important activities in Mexican History, from the extraction from mines and the relevance of Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, to its presence in far-away places.

Dr Juan Manuel Castañeda, cultural advisor for the Canarias Government and Dr Perez explained that these religious objects were donated to parishes by devote persons that went to the New World to seek fortune.

Three 17th and 18th centuries pictorial Ex Votos stand out, where shipwrecks and assaults near Campeche, Veracruz and Havana are described.

The exhibition will be open at the Temporary Exhibition Hall from June to October 2010. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 18 hours. The admission fee is 49 MXP. On Sundays and official holidays, Mexican citizens and residents do not pay.

The National Museum of Viceroyalty is located in 99 Hidalgo Street, San Martin, Tepotzotlan,Estado de Mexico. Telephone number is 5876 0245 and the web page www.virreinato.inah.gob.mx

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