Mexican silver from Backal collection on display at IMAS

For many centuries objects made from precious metals have reflected the status and power of the ruling elite. The exhibition, Silver from Colonial Mexico, at the International Museum of Art & Science in McAllen, presents silver objects from Mexico’s Viceregal period, a golden age of Mexican silver production. This selection of 30 silver objects from the world-renowned Backal private collection includes crowns, plates, candlesticks, chalices and other objects representing the wealth of colonial Mexico.

The impressive Backal collection has been part of major international exhibits such as Mexico, Splendors of Thirty Centuries held in the United States at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1991.

Silver from Colonial Mexico represents about a third of the collection. Due to space limitations, only the liturgical pieces were selected for the IMAS showing.

The silver objects reflect the economic history of Mexico as well as its world class silver-working capabilities. From the 16th through the 19th centuries, its mining industry reached a high level of production. The art of the silversmith reached levels of extraordinary quality and originality at that time. The Baroque and Churriguer-esque artistic styles of the 17th and 18th centuries are expressed through some truly unique pieces. These are recognized by their highly decorative and complex designs.

A group of 18th century coronets (crowns) are superb examples of this style of excess. In these pieces the surfaces are completely worked with the technique of repousse and chasing. The perfectly formed shapes suggest an indigenous design influence. Horns of plenty as well as winged heads and floral patterns are shown. The coronets were placed on images of the Virgin Mary to depict her role as “Queen of Heaven.”

It is exciting to see the 18th century and 19th century Aureoles apart from the holy figures they once adorned. Close inspection allows them to be admired as independent objects of art.

A great number of exceptional examples of the effusive Baroque style are included in the exhibit, including a candlestick with a double-headed eagle and chimes. It has been chiseled, gilded and enameled.

There are also silver objects described as “plates” on view that were once attached to cloth.

It would be interesting to know where they were attached. One such piece, the image of a Holy Lamb, lies on top of masterfully repoussed and chased clouds.

“The Angel,” an 18th-century sculptural object, is chiseled, chased and gilded silver. Standing 11 inches in height, it appears to have been part of a more complete work. It conveys a colonial aesthetic and is my favorite work in the show.

An intellectual neoclassical French style became dominant during the 19th century. This trend accompanied a progressive decline of mining and silver work. Finally, the war of independence and the nation’s political instability contributed to the collapse of the silver industry.

A group of four chalices from the 16th, 18th, and 19th centuries demonstrate the contrast of styles. The 16th century chalice displays the robust human element; slight hammer marks are still visible from the forming of the cup. The 19th century neoclassical chalice is a coldly correct design, with an evenly repeated fluted pattern and mechanically smooth cup.

A 19th century group of containers made from coconut shells with hammered silver hardware showed a novel and decadent direction.

The Backal silver collection provides IMAS visitors the rare opportunity to see important Mexican colonial silver work. Although the objects are crowded in some of the display areas, this exhibit is definitely worth a visit.

Silver from Colonial Mexico is on display through July 29. IMAS is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $3 for children 3-12. Children under the age of 3 get in free. Call (956) 682-1564 for more information.

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Nancy Moyer, Ph.D., is an art reviewer for The Monitor. She is an independent artist living in McAllen. You can reach her at nmoyer@rgv.rr.com.