Tlaxcala handcrafts and folk art is that which comes from the smallest state in Mexico , located in the center-east of the country. Its best-known wares are the "canes of Apizaco " really from San Esteban Tizatlan , sawdust carpets and the making of Saltillo-style serapes. However, there are other handcraft traditions, such as the making of pottery, including Talavera type wares, cartoneria , metalworking and stone working. Tlaxcala is Mexico's smallest and most densely populated entity outside of the Mexico City metropolitan area.
However, there are a variety of crafts made in the state from textiles, to pottery to stone work and more. Much of which has not been widely documented. Its main objective is to document the development and status of the state's handcraft traditions. Its permanent collection is in six halls and includes a Child Jesus of ayacahuite wood, with glass eyes and movable limbs; various articles for the making of pulque , Otomi traditional garb, pottery and musical instruments called salterios.
It also has exhibits dedicated to various traditions and celebrations. In , the governor of the state traveled to Rome to promote the state's handcrafts to the Vatican. Modern work working techniques were introduced by the Spanish, and along with furniture, a number of smaller wood items are made. The best known wood item is a kind of walking cane which is made in the town of San Esteban Tizatlan.
Juniperus wood, but it is not as flexible and requires that the head be worked separately from the body. Another important item is drum called teponaxtle , made from a hollowed log. They are also noted for the making of traditional masks for Carnival and other festivities.
These masks generally portray Europeans as Carnival was a time that allowed the indigenous to poke fun of the conquistadors. The men shape the wood and the women paint and decorate.
