Tiripiti means “gold” in Purépecha and is also the name given to deities associated with manifestations of the sun.

My journey into copper began with the book Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano, where I discovered the work of master artisan Jesús Pérez and decided to travel to Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán, to meet him and learn about his craft. Jesús introduced me to his son, Napoleón Pérez, with whom I continue to collaborate to this day. What began with this visit has become one of Tributo’s strongest and longest-standing relationships with a master artisan.

During my time in Santa Clara del Cobre, I was surrounded by the intense glow of copper in the local markets from cooking pots and tubs to jewelry. This encounter sparked my curiosity about the material and led me to research why copper had developed such a strong cultural and artisanal tradition in the region.

This research led me to its ancient association with the sun and to the name Tiripiti, which refers to deities representing manifestations of the sun. The lamp became a way of paying homage to both the material and the cultural history surrounding it.

We explored numerous forms and proportions through a series of prototypes before arriving at the final silhouette. The resulting form incorporates an opening inspired by the copper bells used in rituals. More than a distinctive detail, the opening creates a dialogue between light and material: when the lamp is illuminated, it reveals the texture of the hand-hammered copper from within, allowing the craftsmanship to become part of the light itself.

Today, Tiripiti is part of the Tributo collection and is produced in a range of sizes, silhouettes, and forms. Each variation retains the distinctive opening that allows light to pass through, preserving the gesture that has become the signature of the piece.