Crafted with beautiful Basalt Stone, this exquisite Metate with its Pinewood base are sure to add the right touch of tradition and elegance to your dishes. Metates (Mexican traditional name for Basalt Stone Slab and pestle) are ancestral elements of world cuisine and have been around for thousands of years, carved from a single block of Basalt rock, which makes every piece unique. A must-have for Gastronomy and Traditional Arts enthusiasts, perfect tool for the preparation and presentation of rustic sauces, ground beef “Pacholas” or more elaborate dishes.
Details:
This piece is currently not in stock. Once your order is processed, the artisan will receive an order to produce a replica of the item you ordered.
Elaboration times range from 10-15 days.
Measurements:
3.54" high x 7.87" wide x 10.24" long
Weight:
11.02 lbs
Basalt Stones are extracted mostly from mines in the lower part of “Cerro Viejo”, a Mountain located in the town of San Lucas Evangelista, Tlajomulco, Jalisco. It is a dangerous process, because in some occasions, boulders or smaller rocks may fall, resulting in harm or danger for artisans. The stones are then transformed by these artisans into exquisite pieces originated from tradition, such as Molcajetes and Metates, as well as other modern creations such as Tequila Coasters and Flower Pots.
In past times, the complete carving process was done with rudimentary instruments such as chisels, pikes and axes, nowadays, some artisans have adopted modern techniques and machinery, polishing with emery and grinding equipment, which allows them to produce with new details and greater volumes, however, the process has adhered to its traditional roots, and the product is a perfect mix of both the past and the present.
Rodriguez Brothers
Rodriguez's family's Basalt Stone arts business was started over 40 Years ago by Jesus Rodriguez Landino, the Father of Jesus, Wilfredo and Adrian.
They joined his Father's workshop around 15 years ago, and ever since have dedicated themselves to innovate while keeping up the tradition of Basalt Stone arts.
Initially, the Rodriguez Brothers dedicated almost entirely to traditional styled Basalt Stone arts, but when they realized that the market was oversaturated with everyone doing the same, they decided to take a risk and innovate.
They started engraving their pieces, giving them different finishes and the response was good, but they thought they could do even better.
It was in 2015, that the Rodriguez Brothers found out about a project from Tlaquepaque's Ceramics Museum, which seeked to integrate new elements to traditional arts, and that they realized they could introduce refined aesthetic and wood elements to their traditional pieces, this resulted in an Innovation National Award from the "Jovenes Creadores" (Young Creators" Project.
Ever since that award, they realized that this integration of Traditional and Modern was the way to go, their reachwas expanded with wider audiences and customers, and their Art has now become profitable.
Now, after three years of refreshing and evolving art styles, their works are a worthy example of development and refinement by blending traditional and modern designs.
