Echeri meaning “earth” in Purépecha is a small, functional sculptural piece that finds its medium and visual language in the inlaid lacquer technique of Uruapan, Michoacán.

Three small, organically shaped circular trays of varying proportions stack and shift against one another, evoking stones finding their balance upon the earth. Planes and volumes converge in a piece that not only holds jewelry but also incorporates a small mirror.

Conceived as a repository for memories, Echeri speaks to what we cherish beyond the objects themselves: possessions that gain meaning through the memories attached to them. Each tray can hold its own small treasures, while the ensemble takes on a sculptural presence.

The inlaid lacquer technique executed by master artisans Martina Navarro and Thomas de Saint Phalle brings color and the abstraction of traditional botanical motifs to the surface, making the craftsmanship an essential part of the piece’s expression.

Echeri transforms the act of storing items into an intimate experience: an object designed to hold jewelry, small treasures, and the memories that give them meaning.

This piece is part of the “Artesano entre Artistas 3.0” collection, promoted by the Museum of Popular Art in Mexico City.