Our partnering artisans.
Roots of Heritage has partnered with Purepecha descendant families in the mystical highlands of Central Mexico. These families have learned the art of the craft of working with copper and its versatility. This ancient craft has been passed down from generation to generation with the ever changing styles of each century, and each decade. Since the mid-1500s Purepecha and Spaniards have exchanged knowledge of working with this timeless metal.
Our partnering artisans are families that work together to succeed and keep their ancient traditions and heritage alive. Some of our custom products can take 4-6 weeks to be made from start to finish, depending on the size and detail required by the client.
Our master artisan, Ismael is the leader of the family, and works with his 7 brothers and sons. They work together with all of the knowledge that has been passed down to them from countless generations. Ismael and his family are masters of their craft. They are always willing to face new challenges, new ideas, and new designs that each client desires.
At ROH we are currently working on a project where our partnering artisans and ourselves travel to some European countries to exchange knowledge and techniques with coppersmiths from the old world. Going back to our roots and the beginning of trading knowledge style and culture.
More about copper & its history.
Utilizing the element of fire, and the swing of a hammer, these beautiful works of art are formed.
Copper minerals are found throughout the earth’s crust. Copper occurs in both sedimentary and igneous rocks. The outer 10 kilometers of the earth’s crust contains 33 grams of copper for every ton of rock. And in some places, volcanic rock activity millions of years ago has deposited molten copper in some of the areas that are mined today.
The Romans began widely importing copper from all across their empire, and started using the metal for engineering purposes, musical instruments, armor, and weaponry. Another important use of copper for the Romans was for their coinage, jewelry, furniture, tools, sculptures, and home products such as bathtubs. Also found in public baths which were very popular in that era.
Fast forward a couple millennials, in 1801, Paul Revere established the first copper rolling mill in America. More specifically, in Massachusetts.
Demand for copper is increasingly met by recycling. Recycling copper uses up to 85% less energy than primary production.
At ROH it’s very important to us that we have products that are made with the least amount of impact, environmentally speaking. By recycling existing copper in different forms and liquefying the ancient metal at a foundry, then cooling it down, one is able to shape it into new forms. In our case, we get copper shaped into various sheet sizes, and various gauges. Then, the artisan’s work begins.
Once copper is in sheet form, the artisans we partner with start to work their magic, one hammer strike at a time. Bending and shaping this precious metal into a piece art, is their speciality. Utilizing tools that have been essential for humankind for millennials. From the hammer to the anvil, from the wooden metal forming mallet to the leather sand bag, from the chisel to the scribing compass these products are formed. All of these are essential tools to create such a work of art.