Abdon Punzo Angel - Mexican Copper Vase, Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico, Dated 1997

Abdon Punzo Angel (1955-2021, Michoacan, Mexico), was one of the two brothers who continued their family legacy of copper and silver smith works. Abdon and his brother, Ignacio Punzo Angel, both taught their sons and grandsons the craft of copper and silver. Their family descends from Carlos Punzo Cordoba. Abdon's workshop was located in Santa Clara del Cobre and is a part of a region with a long history of handcrafts, passed down from generations. Abdon Punzo and his sons, Jose, Carlos and Luis Felipe have won many awards for their works in Mexico and abroad. Abdon stated that Carlos has come close to beating him in past contests. He was asked in an interview one time on what he would've done if Carlos, or his other sons had beaten him, to which he replied that it would have meant more than the prize. All of their pieces are hammered into shape and hand burnished, which could take up to two weeks for a single piece. One of their famous clients included former Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.