Milagros was honoured to have supplied much of the merchandise for the Royal Academy’s (RA) Spain and the Hispanic World exhibition (21.01.23-10.04.23), which showcased treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum and Library. This museum was founded in 1904 by Archer Milton Huntington to house his collection, in New York.
The exhibition featured masterpieces, by Goya and Velasquez, alongside dazzling objects from Latin America such as paintings, silk textiles, ceramics, lusterware, silverwork, jewellery, maps, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, and stunning decorative lacquerware. Some of the 16th century pieces from Mexico came from towns that are still producing similar work.
Map of Tequaltiche 1584 anonymous
The Hispanic Society Museum boasts an extensive collection of art that influenced Spain and art influenced by Spain as well as Spanish art. This presents an opportunity to trace the diversity of cultures and religions from Celtic to Islamic, Jewish, and Christian that have shaped and enriched what we understand as Hispanic culture today. This exhibition was the first time that these treasures were presented in the UK.
Milagros worked with the RA to supply their shop with hand-made objects from present-day Mexico. The influences behind these Mexican hand crafted products could be seen in the exhibition. For example the Mexican tiles, that we sell are still hand-made using techniques passed on from the Chinese to the Moors, the Moors to the Spanish and the Spanish to their empire in the new world.
Camarasa Girls of Burviana Falleras 1910 | Hermenegildo Anglada
Milagros has worked directly with artists, makers, and family-run workshops in Mexico for the past 30 years. These include glassblowers, tile makers, tin makers, textile artists, woodcarvers, and basket makers.
In recent years, besides working with the Royal Academy, Milagros has also worked with the Victoria and Albert Museum in promoting the hand-made work of Mexican artists and makers. Milagros hopes to continue with such collaborations in the future.
Milagros has a shop in East London at 61 Columbia Road, open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, and on Sunday from 9 am to 5pm. All the work which was available from the RA shop during the exhibition can still be bought from Milagros, both in our shop and online.
