In Ecuador, you will be amaze to find many handicrafts. The country has highly skilled artisans who can make anything from hats, to woodcrafts to paintings. Every place you go in Ecuador, there is always a thing of artistry to appeal you. Some of the handicrafts have made Ecuador famous in the eye of the world. These handicrafts are not only beautiful but also quite practical.
The Panama hat
One of the most exquisite and world-renowned handicraft from Ecuador is the Panama hat. Do not get fooled by the name. This straw hat was named after the place where it was sold, the name struck but the fact has been out that the panama hats are from Ecuador. The Ecuador Panama Hats are the most excellent handicraft straw hat. The texture, the smoothness and the weaving is so fine that it is also the most expensive of all hats. The Montecristi Hats is the finest of all and you will never find a finer and superior hat anywhere. Apart from the fine weaving, it is said the Panama hat can hold water if your turn upside down and at the same time be airy. The straw hats also serve as a Roll Up Hats where you can roll it for storage without breaking the original shape. Perhaps because this straw hat is both a beauty and very practical, it makes it the most expensive straw hat in the world. The finest Panama Hat takes months to weave and it goes through a long process to produce this satin like Straw Hat.
Woodcarvings
In Ecuador, you will find many wood crafted artifacts. In the churches woodcarving are in done in the interiors. San Antonio is the main center where you will find many woodcarvings figures for sale. Most people in San Antonio are skilled wood carving masters.
Bread figures of Calderon
The Ecuadoreans are very skillful that they even changed the shape of the bread. Often in the street of Calderon, you will find colorful figured bread. Do not get confused this bread with dolls as there are made in the shape of men, women and other figures.
Apart from these handicrafts, there are lots to discover in Ecuador. There are truly skilled and produce the best crafts in the world.
Ecuador has been known for its high quality headgear since years. In mid 1900’s the Panama hat was Ecuador’s main export item and until today it has been captivating many people around the world. This straw hat was weaved in Ecuador and sold within as well. Later the Straw Hats were shipped to Panama. As Panama was a major trade center, the name of the Straw hats from Ecuador was named Panama hats. Ironically, later when people came to know the fact of the Panama Straw Hat’s origin, the name didn’t change.This was the first time that the Panama Straw Hat was exported. In 1849, Ecuador exported the Panama Hats in more than 220,000 pieces. It was introduced to the rest of the world when a Frenchmen took the Ecuador Panama Hats in Paris and presented them in the World’s fair in 1855. Knowing the highly fashionable taste of the Frenchmen, soon the Panama hat was adorned for its beauty and it was unthinkable to replace them.
The popularity of the Panama Straw Hat was even higher in the 20th century when the then president of US, Theodore Roosevelt sported a Montecristi Hat. That picture got published in the world press. More demands were in and soon Ecuador began to export more of the Straw Hats to the world.In Turkey, the use of the traditional fez was banned in 1925 and the use of Ecuador Panama Hats was mandated. It was by 1944 that the Panama Straw Hat became the major export item of Ecuador for a short period. Till now, the demands of the Ecuador Panama Hats are growing and the straw hat still maintains its charm.
The main center of the Ecuador Panama Hat is in Cuenca and Montecristi. In Cuenca, the Panama hats are weaved faster and in mass to meet the demands but with inferior quality than the Montecristi Hats. Now, Panama is no longer the main country of export, today Ecuador Panama Hats are exported worldwide to countries such as United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, etc, etc.
The legendary ivory colored, light weighted Panama Straw Hat has been the most preferred straw hat of some of the most influential men. Historically, the international politicians and royalties have popularized the trend of wearing the Panama hat. This Straw Hat was worn by the rich and famous right from the olden days and it became a status symbol for men.
The reason why this straw hat became a must-have for the elite is that, it is beautifully and artistically craft from the finest straw. This straw hat is tightly weaved but remarkably, it is very light and airy. When you feel it, it gives you the smoothness of a satin. Not to forget, this straw is one of the most expensive hats in the world. Even though the price seems a little high but no one seem to mind as long they have the Panama hat. Wherever the straw hat went, it made a craze.
During the mid 1800, Napoleon III spread the trend in Europe when he wore a Montecristi Hat. In England the Panama Straw Hats became the most fashionable summer hat, much encourage by the royals. Prince Edward had to part with £90.00 and told his Bond Street hatter to get the finest Panama hat available. The Men's Panama hat during the old era represented a mark of high ranks. The world news photograph showed President Roosevelt hovering on a Panama Canal steam shovel wearing his Panama hat in 1905. That triggered the fashion for these straw hats afterwards.
Even today, the panama straw hat is still Men's Vintage Hats. The Panama hat is now a favorite among the celebrities. Presidents, movie stars, business tycoons all love to wear this straw hat.