Gumercindo España Olivares

Gumercindo España Olivares (13 January 1935 – 17 February 2018) was a Mexican artisan who specialized in traditional toys hand carved from wood. He was from a family of toymakers, beginning with his grandfather, which started in clay but switched to wood. In addition to making traditional toys, the artisan also experimented with new designs, such as those related to the history of Guanajuato. His efforts have won him various awards.

Life España Olivares was from Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas, Guanajuato. His grandfather traveled on foot as far as Michoacán and San Luis Potosí to sell toys as there was no motorized transportation at that time.

Toy production Although he began with clay, most of España Olivares’ toy production was made of wood, particularly a wood called copalillo, brought from a nearby mountain. Most toys were made from one piece of wood, unless there are movable parts such as heads, arms and legs. Finished toys were painted with commercial enamel paint. and the Galardón Nacional from the first Concurso Nacional del Juguete Popular Mexicano sponsored by Museo del Juguete Popular Mexicano “La Esquina” in San Miguel de Allende and FONART.