This film is presented by Pictorial Films Inc (:17) and dates to 1947. The film shows Santa Clara del Cobre in Michoacán, Mexico, focusing on the culture and craft of copper and silver artisans. Traditional metal working in Mexico dates back to the Mesoamerican period. The film opens with images of copper plates and silver (:35). The film turns to the village of Santa Clara (1:13) to show copper scrapings being used to make pots and pans. Scrap is melted down over wooden fires (1:21) and formed into flat disks which will be pounded down (1:30). In order to keep the copper soft and pliable, heat must be consistently applied (2:25). The rim of a pot is smoothed down (2:38). Wire is inserted around the rim (2:41). The pots are set into flames (3:12) and buried in the dirt in order to receive a permanent finish (3:28). Handles are fashioned onto the pots (4:07). The production of silver is then turned to as molten metals are poured as a liquid (5:06). A silver bullion is converted into a flat plate (5:32). Pieces of silver are placed under rollers (5:59). Machinery molds the metals into fruit bowls (6:43) and candle sticks. A silversmith works with a steel pointed stylus (7:12). Silver is formed into coffee cups (8:18) and seashell trinkets (8:57). The film begins to wrap up with intricate designs completed on the silver pieces (9:35).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com