Maestro Dobel, creator of the world’s first cristalino tequila, and Mexico City-based design studio Onora release the second of three limited edition Dobel 50 Cristalino bottle stoppers, highlighting the native lacquering technique of laca de Olinalá.
Handcrafted in wood, these quality bottle stoppers were created especially for Dobel 50 Cristalino by Adolfo Escudero García, second-generation master artisan from the village of Olinalá, Mexico in collaboration with Onora Studio, which is known for collaborating with Mexican artists to highlight ancient craft techniques.
The first edition of the bottle stoppers used the iconic folk-art tradition of amate painting, illustrating the production cycle of the agave plant, in collaboration with third-generation artisan Pablo Pérez Martínez, from the village of Xalitla, Mexico.
The Escudero García family has kept the technique and process of Olinalá lacquer craftsmanship alive … [+]
The Escudero Garcías are a multi-generational family workshop that has kept the technique and process of Olinalá lacquer craftsmanship alive throughout six generations. They have won many national and state awards, which reflect the quality of the pieces and recognize them as a great maestros of Mexican folk art, as conceived by Fomento Cultural Banamex.
“Partnering with Maestro Dobel Tequila and Onora we have been able to blend traditional art, contemporary designs, and great tequila,” says Adolfo Escudero García. “By incorporating the art form of laca de Olinalá into this handcrafted, limited edition collection, we have created a captivating and intricate design that in my opinion, is a true testament to our common passions for both craftsmanship and heritage.”
Olinalá, in the western state of Guerrero, is known for the intricate art of laca, in which several layers of pigments and clay are applied to a wooden surface, then carefully carved to reveal the layers underneath. It is one of the most iconic of Mexico’s handicraft techniques.
The entire laca process takes approximately three months to complete a single piece.
“I believe that I was chosen as the partner on this special project because of the similarities that I share with both Onora and Maestro Dobel Tequila,” says Escudero García. “Onora is a design studio that strives to revive ancient craft techniques in the same way that my family and I aspire to bring a new life to the art form of Laca de Olinala. Maestro Dobel was born from 11 generations of tequila making legacy, which resonates with my background as a multi-generational artisan who draws inspiration and knowledge from all the ones that came before me.”
For the decoration of this cap, Escudero García used natural and mineral pigments from the region, such as charcoal, añil blue, tecoxtle (a substance of mineral origin, sandy texture and yellowish color,) chia oil, and calcite. For the first step, they applied a mixture of chia oil and tecoxtle to the wooden cap, then covered it with tlalpilole, which is a blend of white clay and charcoal.
Handcrafted in wood, these bottle stoppers were created by Adolfo Escudero García, second-generation … [+]
They smoothed it with a stone called a burnisher, then applied another layer of tlalpilole and began drawing with a totole feather attached to an agave or huisache spine. Once the drawing was finished, they applied more pigment to thicken the first layer.
“After this process, we used another spine to extract the drawing, creating a raised relief effect,” says Escudero García. “We then applied more pigment and detail to the piece to ensure it was free of imperfections. Finally, we polished it with cotton to give it a shine,” he says. Once this process is complete, the piece must dry for approximately 15 days before removing any excess clay. The entire process takes approximately three months to complete a single piece.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved together as we have designed and handcrafted these unique stoppers with ancient pre-Hispanic motifs, which are now represented on a beautiful bottle that will travel the world not only for its exquisite taste, but also for its creativity and originality in representing Mexico. You get to experience a little piece of Mexico City, a little piece of Jalisco, a little piece of Guerrero and the heart and passion of all of Mexico.”