On 5 May 1862, Mexican troops successfully defended the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe from the larger, better-equipped French forces of Napoleon III. The two forts sit atop a hill overlooking the city of Puebla (about 75 miles Southeast of Mexico City). Although the French came back the following year—and took Puebla—the 5 May event served as a motivating rallying cry for Mexican troops.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is more-widely celebrated in the United States (as a celebration of pan-Mexican culture) than it is in Mexico. However, in Puebla, the day remains important and one can visit two forts which are now history museums.
The vase above, hand-hammered in Mexico, has been raised in the form of a sloping, volcano-shaped mountain. The piece was created from a single ingot of copper, built-up with nothing more than an anvil, tongs, and various-peen hammers. The bulbous bottom resembles a bowl, however, the top rim continues as a raised, gradually restricted "return." The un-lacquered metal will continue to oxidize, turning darker as the decades progress. Click the photo above to learn more about this handsome vase.
Or click here to see more hand-hammered copper vessels, now in-stock at LEO Design.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248