Bolivia is situated in the center of South America, and is a country primarily famous for its vast deposits of tin, gemstones, gold and silver. Its also well known for its rare gemstones which are popular among gem collectors. In recent years, Bolivia has also produced a large amount of ametrine.
Given this wealth of resources, exactly how do Bolivians make their architecture stand out?
Materials Used By Bolivians Ornament Architecture
Gold and silver in particular are used by Bolivians to ornament architecture. Bolivian architecture is a true reflection of its exciting mixture of culture.
The culture and architecture of Bolivia are prominently marked by its colonial history, pre-colonial origins. Bolivian architects are influenced by this heritage and cultural legacy.
Bolivian architecture primarily uses natural resources that they can easily obtain from their country, particularly gold and silver.
In addition to gold and silver, Bolivians use a variety of additional materials to ornament their architecture, reflecting the country’s diverse cultural influences and natural resources. Some of the key materials include:
1. Stone
Andesite: Commonly used in Inca architecture, andesite is a volcanic rock that is durable and can be finely carved.
Granite: Used for both structural and decorative purposes, granite is valued for its strength and aesthetic appeal.
2. Adobe
Adobe bricks, made from a mixture of mud and straw, are traditional building materials in Bolivia, especially in rural and indigenous communities. These bricks are often used to create decorative patterns and designs on building facades.
3. Wood
Wood is used for decorative elements such as carved doors, window frames, and balconies. In the tropical regions, hardwoods like mahogany and cedar are popular.
4. Ceramics and Tiles
Ceramic tiles are widely used for both functional and decorative purposes. These can include colorful, patterned tiles that adorn floors, walls, and roofs.
Talavera tiles, known for their vibrant colors and intricate designs, are especially popular in urban architecture.
5. Metal
Wrought iron is commonly used for decorative gates, railings, and window grilles. It is often intricately designed to add aesthetic value to buildings.
6. Plaster and Stucco
Plaster and stucco are used to create detailed ornamental designs on walls and ceilings. These materials allow for elaborate relief work and moldings.
7. Glass
Stained glass is used in churches and other significant buildings, adding color and light to interiors. Glass mosaics can also be found in some modern Bolivian architecture.
8. Textiles
In some regions, traditional textiles are used as wall hangings or incorporated into the architectural design to reflect local cultural heritage.
9. Paint
Brightly colored paint is often used to decorate the exteriors and interiors of buildings, reflecting Bolivia’s vibrant artistic traditions.
Gold and its Use to Ornament Architecture
Gold is considered the first metal in nature that historical man used to ornament architecture, jewelry, and clothes.
It’s main features that include resistance to corrosion and malleability, enable make it easy to utilize and maintain.
In nature, gold is found in many forms (e.g., in mineral form, nugget form, dust form, etc.). It is present in regular, polymorphic, round, and irregular shapes.
The main use of gold in architecture is to enhance the overall appearance and adornments of buildings.
In ancient Egypt, gold was considered the holy flesh of the many Egyptians gods. Egyptians used gold in almost every other thing, such as specific divinations, buildings, tombs, funeral rituals, jewelry, and clothing.
They mainly used gold for crafting funerary masks of the deceased to leave his marks on the tomb/grave for eternity. As a result, today, we can find huge amounts of gold in the Egyptian architectural buildings and antiques. The best example can be the tomb of Tutankhamun.
It makes sense that ancient cultures all over the world turned to gold and silver in various ways.
Silver and Its Use to Ornament Architecture
Compared to other metals, silver is soft and shiny. But a challenge with silver is that silver sulfide is formed when pure silver tarnishes gradually in the air. This causes the metal to look dull.
Similar to gold, silver is also used to ornaments architectural buildings, clothes, jewelry, etc. Silver is the best reflector of visible light, thus the best choice to make a mirror.
Other places where silver is present include:
- Brazing alloys
- Dental alloys
- Solder alloys
- Electrical contacts
- Electrical batteries
- Printed circuits (silver paints to make them)
In nature, unlike gold, silver occurs uncombined and in ores. It occurs as chlorargyrite and argentite.
Another way to obtain silver, other than from the ore, is during the electrolytic refining of copper. Almost 20,000 tons of silver per year is produced all around the world.