On our last trip to Michoacan, we drove through San Francisco Pichataro one day and noticed all of the carved furniture shops. Being pinched for time, we didn't stop but swore that we would return. On the following Sunday, we had some time on our hands and made a return trip from Patzcuaro. During our return trip, we stopped at a shop that had an incredible set of carved furniture, pictured in the following:
https://picasaweb.google.com/Chinagringo/SANFRANCISCOPICHATAROMICHOACANMEXICO#The four piece set consisting of the chair, loveseat, sofa and table had an asking price of $2600MXP. While it was very tempting, our van was already starting to get full and it was a long way back to New Mexico.
In hindsight, I started considering a few things. We were there in August and I am guessing that this set was carved from "green wood". I did look closely at the carving and lack of finish. While it would not have been a big deal to sand the detail work, I was apprehensive about just how this furniture would stand up to a change to a drier climate and hold a finish after it had fully cured? Anyone with any experience in this area?
I would hate to go through the drill of allowing the wood to fully cure and then sand & finish only to have the wood crack or split.