toro sagrado english

toro sagrado

horn . fine silver

Cow horns were a material traditionally used in the Picunche culture (pre-Colombian Chile). The history of this project begins forty years ago, three generations back in my family. My grandfather, Juan Hernan Betancourt, first began developing basic techniques to work with cow horn to manufacture a traditional piece that “huasos” (Chilean cowboys) use to drink “chica” (fermented grape juice). My father, Juan Betancourt, later continued to experiment with the use of this material to make utilitarian objects. Now, Toro Sagrado celebrates a beautiful union of cow horn and Chilean silver to create jewelry. With its beautiful color, texture, luster and shape, this horn has an incredible power as a raw material. When worked with different techniques, such as pressing, polishing and cutting, the horn becomes a unique material we can use to express a unique Latin American beauty.