Exploring the Museum of Goldsmithing and a community art gallery in Old Havana, Cuba 馃嚚馃嚭.
Hello travelers from the 
Did you know? In Old Havana, right in the historic heart of the city, you鈥檒l find the Goldsmithing Museum, home to unique pieces dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These artifacts reflect the lifestyle of Cubans鈥攅specially Havanans鈥攆rom the upper class during that era. Interesting, right?
But that鈥檚 not all! I鈥檒l also show you a collective gallery of artists in Havana, showcasing how they express art in Cuba. Join me on this wonderful adventure! 馃槈
隆Hola viajeros de la comunidad
驴Sab铆as qu茅? En la habana vieja en el mismo casco hist贸rico de la ciudad, se encuentra ubicado el museo de la Orfebrer铆a con piezas 煤nicas que datan de finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX, reflejando c贸mo viv铆a el cubano, en especial el habanero, en la 茅poca perteneciente a la clase alta. Interesante, 驴verdad?
Pues adem谩s les ense帽ar茅 una galer铆a colectiva de artistas en La Habana mostrando su forma de expresar el arte en Cuba. 隆Acomp谩帽ame en esta maravillosa aventura 馃槈!
The Goldsmithing Museum, located at 113 Obispo Street, between Oficios and Mercaderes鈥攋ust steps away from Plaza de Armas is housed in a historic colonial mansion, deeply tied to the origins of this art form in Cuba.
Inside, you鈥檒l find curated galleries, including a jewelry collection (featuring pieces acquired through donations and purchases), along with exhibits dedicated to watches, weapons, safes, walking sticks, and personal grooming items.
El Museo de la Orfebrer铆a, situado en la calle Obispo #113 entre Oficios y Mercaderes, muy cerca de la Plaza de Armas, se asienta en una antigua casona colonial asociada, con raz贸n a los inicios de ese arte en Cuba.
La instituci贸n cuenta con salas de joyas, adquiridas por donaciones y compras, la de relojes, de armas, cajas fuertes y bastones y la de aseo.
Starting the tour, I began with the antique jewelry collection - many pieces crafted with precious stones, coral, or cameos, set in gold and silver frameworks.
You can admire exquisitely detailed necklaces and earrings, likely dating back to the 19th century, showcasing remarkable beauty and craftsmanship.
Comenzando con el recorrido, empec茅 por las joyas antiguas, muchas elaboradas con piedras preciosas, corales o camafeos, montados en estructuras de oro y plata.
Se pueden observar desde collares y aretes muy detallistas y bellos probablemente del siglo XIX.
Many of these pieces also hold religious significance, used in Jewish celebrations that coincide with Christian Christmas festivities and other believers' ceremonies.
The final piece is crafted in pure gold, showcasing meticulous filigree work and the delicate setting of precious and semi-precious stones.
Varios de estos objetos tambi茅n son de car谩cter religioso, usado en las fiestas jud铆as coincidiendo con la Navidad para los cristianos y ceremonias de los creyentes.
La 煤ltima prenda es oro puro muestra el trabajo minucioso en filigrana y engaste de piedras preciosas o semipreciosas.
The museum is currently hosting a special one-month exhibition by artist Heriberto S谩nchez Mart铆nez, featuring his sculptural works. The display showcases his diverse techniques for creating pieces through aluminum and bronze casting processes.
Se muestra la exposici贸n personal del artista Heriberto S谩nchez Mart铆nez que presenta sus esculturas al museo por un mes, con distintas formas de crear obras en fundici贸n de aluminio o bronce.
Moving on to the safes, these were crafted from metal and wood, reflecting both the era鈥檚 concern for security and the economic value of the items they protected.
Many bear visible inscriptions, likely marking their original manufacturers. According to the display signs, they were probably exported from the United States (New York).
Pasando a las cajas fuertes, les comentar茅 que son fabricadas en metal y madera, demostrando el inter茅s por la seguridad y el valor econ贸mico de los objetos que resguardaba en la 茅poca.
Contienen inscripciones visibles, probablemente del fabricante original de la pieza, seg煤n los letreros deben haber sido exportado de Estados Unidos (New York).
The following gallery presents an exquisite collection of grooming implements and silver objects - including pitchers and trays - showcasing the masterful artistry of Cuban craftsmen. Each piece demonstrates extraordinary skill in repouss茅, engraving, chiseling, enameling, and filigree techniques.
These items were traditionally used in formal ceremonies or as part of the domestic luxuries enjoyed by Cuba's aristocracy. The final display case features writing instruments in precious metals, including gold and silver fountain pens, letter openers, and ballpoint pens crafted in white metal.
La siguiente sala viene dada por utensilios y objetos de aseo, jarras y bandejas de plata, puede apreciar la gran labor realizada por los artesanos y en los objetos que se exhiben y aquilatan por el dominio de las t茅cnicas de repujado, grabado, cincelado, esmaltado y filigrama.
Sol铆an utilizarse en ceremonias o como parte de los lujos dom茅sticos de la aristocracia cubana. Adem谩s en 煤ltima vitrina est谩n los bol铆grafos, abrecartas y plumas en oro, plata y metal blanco.
This exhibition space showcases an exquisite collection of table, wall, and carriage clocks, each bearing exceptional museological significance. Dating primarily from the spanish colonial era, these timepieces were imported from France and formally registered in Havana.
Adorned with vibrant enamelwork, polished bronze, delicate porcelain, fine woods, and intricate filigree, they epitomize the luxury timekeeping instruments of their time. Every clock serves as a decorative art masterpiece, perfectly harmonizing with the stately ambiance of this historic mansion.
En el sal贸n de relojes, se exhiben reloj de mesa, pared y carruajes, todos con un alto valor muse贸logo. M谩s bien de la 茅poca de la colonia espa帽ola, tra铆dos de Francia e inscritos en La Habana.
Decorado con esmalte colorido, bronce, porcelana, maderas y filigrana, muy t铆pico de relojes de alta gama de la 茅poca, todos como piezas de arte decorativo en la casona.
The collection also features exquisite pocket watches originating from France, Britain, Switzerland, and other European nations.
Crafted in gold, silver, bronze, and steel, these timepieces were integral to the daily lives of Cuba's 19th and 20th century aristocracy and bourgeoisie. Notably, wealthy families would commission these watches as custom-made pieces, often featuring personalized engravings and dedications that reflected their social status.
Se reflejan tambi茅n relojes de bolsillo procedentes de Francia, Gran Breta帽a, Suiza y otros pa铆ses.
Muchos de Oro, plata, bronce y acero, que formaban parte de la vida cotidiana de la aristocracia y burgues铆a cubana en 茅pocas del XIX y XX. Les dir茅 que estos relojes eran adquiridos por familias adineradas, por encargos personalizados con grabados e inscripciones.
Here, visitors can admire a remarkable variety of objects crafted from this precious metal. The facility also features additional spaces, including a conference hall and areas dedicated to temporary exhibitions showcasing contemporary visual artists.
Aqu铆 puede disfrutar de la m谩s variada muestra de objetos confeccionados con este precioso metal. La instalaci贸n cuenta con otras dependencias, como el sal贸n de conferencias y las 谩reas destinadas a exposiciones transitorias de artistas contempor谩neos de la pl谩stica.
On the upper level of the museum, visitors will discover an impressive collection of swords, walking canes, ceremonial rods, daggers, and other accessories once carried by high-ranking gentlemen and officials.
Each piece is lavishly adorned with gold and fine woods, serving not only as decorative art but also as powerful symbols of social status and authority during their time.
En la parte alta del museo, cuanta con espadas, bastones, varas ornamentadas, dagas y Instrumentos usados por caballeros de clase alta o autoridades.
Piezas ricamente decoradas en oro y maderas finas, que representan no solo arte decorativo sino tambi茅n s铆mbolo de poder y estatus social.
This wealth of artifacts solidifies the Goldsmithing Museum鈥檚 standing as Cuba鈥檚 premier national reference center for metalwork artistry and, by extension, all metal-based arts.
Its galleries vividly portray the ceremonial and everyday lives of Cuba鈥檚 elite during both colonial and republican eras, through objects that masterfully blend utilitarian purpose with luxurious craftsmanship from bygone generations.
Todo esto respalda que el Museo de la Orfebrer铆a sea hoy centro de referencia nacional en todo lo concerniente a esta materia y por extensi贸n al arte en metal.
Sus salas reflejan distintos aspectos de la vida cotidiana y ceremonial de las clases altas en Cuba colonial y republicana, a trav茅s de objetos que combinan funcionalidad y lujo en a帽os pasados.
Just two blocks from the Goldsmithing Museum, I came across the Jos茅 Mart铆 Community Artists Gallery - a space well-known among domestic tourists for showcasing local creativity. Here, each artist's imagination comes to life through vibrant paintings.
Saliendo de la orfebrer铆a, a tan solo dos calles me encuentro con esta galer铆a colectiva de artistas comunitarios nombrada Jos茅 Mart铆, muy conocida por el turismo nacional. Donde se expone la imaginaci贸n de cada creador en sus pinturas.
Stepping inside, you enter an alternative space bursting with color and expression. Local artists showcase works blending urban art, pop art, Afro-Caribbean portraiture, social commentary, and distinctly Cuban cultural symbols.
Many pieces feature bold multicolored geometric shapes - a fresh fusion of cubist influences with contemporary styles, resulting in strikingly original creations you won鈥檛 find anywhere else.
Entrar al local, parece ser un espacio alternativo, colorido y muy expresivo donde los creadores locales exponen obras que mezclan el arte urbano, pop art, retrato afrocaribe帽o, cr铆tica social y s铆mbolos identitarios cubanos.
Algunos cuados est谩n hechas con figuras geom茅tricas multicolores, fusionando cubismo con expresiones contempor谩neas, muy originales e 煤nicas.
The space features eclectic decor, with walls completely covered in paintings that create an intimate yet almost overwhelming atmosphere of creativity.
Visitors can interact with artists in the gallery, learn about their work firsthand, and even participate in painting workshops.
El espacio est谩 decorado de forma ecl茅ctica, con paredes completamente cubiertas por cuadros, creando un ambiente 铆ntimo y casi abrumador de creatividad.
Puedes interactuar con los artistas en el sal贸n e aprender de su arte, incluso obtener talleres de pintura.
The pop art-style works reimagine global cultural icons - like a 3D glasses-wearing Jesus alongside YouTube logos - through a Cuban lens.
This space becomes a melting pot where distinct artistic trends merge, blending contemporary conceptual and aesthetic approaches. Each piece synthesizes form and content through the unique perspectives of its creator, resulting in truly singular visual dialogues.
Las obras con estilo pop art utilizan 铆conos de la cultura global, con la figura de Jes煤s con gafas 3D y un logo de YouTube.
Distintas tendencias y estilos se fusionan aqu铆, con aires contempor谩neos desde lo conceptual y lo est茅tico, sintetizando forma y contenido de las dis铆miles miradas que aportan sus artistas.
Many portraits incorporate distinctive cultural elements - vibrant headwraps, traditional hairstyles, or gold-painted lips - serving as bold statements of Afro-Caribbean heritage. These works powerfully celebrate female empowerment and Black/mixed-race identity, reflecting iconic aspects of our nation's culture.
Muchos retratos incluyen detalles culturales, como turbantes, peinados tradicionales, o labios pintados de dorado para resaltar. Celebrando las ra铆ces afrocaribe帽as, el empoderamiento femenino y la identidad negra o mulata, t铆pico de nuestro pa铆s.
In conclusion, this adventure was incredibly fun, spectacular, and insightful! From the art gallery鈥攚here we explored diverse perspectives on reality, identity, and inner worlds through color, symbolism, and visual commentary鈥攖o the Goldsmithing Museum, where you can admire the exquisite craftsmanship of Cuban and European goldsmiths who influenced the island鈥檚 artistic legacy.
If you enjoyed this journey, don鈥檛 forget to leave a comment and follow me for future posts. I鈥檇 love to hear your thoughts and ideas for our next exploration!
En conclusi贸n, esta aventura fue bien divertida, espectacular e interesante tanto en la galer铆a de arte, donde exploramos distintos formas de ver la realidad, identidad y mundo interior a trav茅s del color, el s铆mbolo y la cr铆tica visual; como en el museo de la orfebrer铆a que puedes apreciar la habilidad artesanal de los orfebres cubanos y europeos que influyeron en la isla.
Si te ha gustado, no olvides dejar tu comentario y seguirme para pr贸ximas publicaciones. Me encantar铆a saber tu opini贸n e ideas para el siguiente.
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All photos were taken by my IPhone 12 Pro and edited at InShot. English is not my native language, I used www.DeepL.com/Translator.
Todas las fotos fueron tomadas por mi IPhone 12 Pro y editadas en InShot. El Ingl茅s no es mi idioma nativo, us茅 www.DeepL.com/Translator.