Copper History
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Tradition
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About
Our Artisans
A Brief
History of Copper
Copper is one of the
oldest and most extensively used metals known to man. Its
earliest known use dates as far back as the 8th Century B.C. to the
Hittite Empire of Central Turkey, during the Late Bronze Age!
A Symbol of Wealth
In ancient times,
copper was recognized as a symbol of
wealth. Inventory lists of
archeological findings from around 8000 B.C. include moveable and
storable wealth in the form of copper and include such luxury items
as copper bath tubs! Even though gold appeared on the
scene around 4000 B.C., it's value was second to copper for at least
another 1000 years!
Decorative &
Utilitarian
For
nearly 50 centuries, copper was the only metal known and was
used in all metal applications in it's pure form. Early copper
artifacts, many of which can be found on display today at some of
the world's most renowned museums, were first decorative in nature, then
utilitarian, and were hammered out from pure 'native' copper.
Copper artifacts
that have been unearthed at various archeological sites clearly provide
evidence as to
copper's amazing properties and its many uses. Some items of
interest include...
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A
museum at the University of Pennsylvania displays a copper frying
pan that has been dated to be more than 50 centuries old!
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Archeologists have recovered a portion of a water plumbing system
from the Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt. The copper tubing used
was found in serviceable condition after more than 5,000 years!
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A
copper pendant discovered in what is now northern Iraq has been
dated about 8700 B.C.
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One of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls found in Israel is made of
copper instead of more fragile animal skins. The scroll contains no
biblical passages or religious writings - only clues to a still
undiscovered treasure.
It's interesting to
note that although copper has been the most used metal for nearly
10,000 years, only about 12% of the known worldwide copper
resources have been mined throughout
history... and nearly all of it is still in circulation in one form
or another!
A
Valuable Metal of Choice
Known and
recognized by our ancestors for its beauty and ductility...
copper is used extensively today for the very same reasons.
Whether in decorative form or in utilitarian use, copper has found a
permanent place in our lives.
Our connection to copper is a long one indeed. Though
it may no longer be the metal signifying great wealth, it remains
so in spirit and will always be a most valuable and useful metal of choice!
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A Rich
Tradition!
Mexico celebrates a rich tradition of �arte popular�
(functional art) that reaches back more than 2000 years. A
country that places a high value on artistry, Mexico is home to some
of the finest craftsmen in the world.
Father to Son
Today, highly skilled artisans continue to practice
trades that have been handed down from father to son since time
immemorial. With a dedication to keeping their heritage alive,
many of these craftsman remain purists and continue to produce their wares
completely by hand, just as their forefathers before them.
Using 'age-old' techniques that are all
but lost to our 'mass production world', Mexican craftsmen have mastered the skill
of producing
ordinary household items so rich in beauty, detail and appeal, they
give new
meaning to the term, 'living art'.
An Ancient Custom
Among the oldest of trades is the custom of forming pure
copper and stone into highly decorative household items for everyday
use. Today,
descendents of a long line of craftsmen proudly carry on this tradition and produce the most beautifully crafted copper and stone
sinks, bath tubs and accessories to be used, admired and enjoyed in
today's most fashionable, upscale homes!
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Our Artisans
~ Masters of Copper & Stone
Born of processes that have withstood the �test
of time�, our products come to you from deep in the heart of Mexico
where copper has been processed since 1553 and masons have been
working with stone since before recorded history!
Exceptional Talent &
Skill
Heirs to a legacy of
century after century of family skill, pride and tradition, our
artisans are members of some of the oldest families still living in
this region. Craftsmen of exceptional talent and skill, most
started working with copper and stone as soon as they could walk!
It's such a joy to
see these coppersmiths and stonemasons engaged in their work.
They truly love what they do. They have been privy to generations of strictly guarded
'trade secrets' and have acquired an intimacy and
knowingness of copper and stone that cannot even be gained through years
of study.
An Elite Group
Maestros (masters)
among their peers, our artisans are more than just
ordinary craftsmen. They're an elite group of European trained coppersmiths and
stonemasons,
that have acquired the gift of transforming an ordinary copper or stone sink, bath
tub or accessory into an absolutely stunning and highly functional,
work of art!
We feel privileged to bring you the wares of these incredibly
skilled masters.
Magnificent, one-of-a-kind copper and stone sinks, bath tubs and
accessories with a 'natural' quality that captures the spirit
of 450 plus years of culture, pride and tradition... yet are
absolutely
timeless in beauty, character and style!
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