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Traditional craft of Mallorca

Guixers and emblanquinadors (plasterers and whitewashers)

At a glance

The guixer or guixaire manufactured, sold or worked guix (gypsum): calcined and ground calcium sulfate stone that, kneaded with water, sets quickly. It was…

Crafts
Traditional craft of Mallorca
Artisans in the register
6 · Palma, Manacor
Words
ase guixer / ase de guixer, emblanquinar, guix, guix viu / guix mort, guixer / guixaire, «Guix i calç, tapen molts de mals»

What it is and technique

The guixer or guixaire manufactured, sold or worked guix (gypsum): calcined and ground calcium sulfate stone that, kneaded with water, sets quickly. It was used for partitions, moldings, doorways and pieces of work. The whitewasher whitewashed facades and interiors with whitewash (see calciners ).

Process step by step

1. Cook the plaster stone in the oven.

2. Chop/beat the cooked plaster until it becomes powder ("bat o pica guix", doc. 1381).

3. Paste with water just before using.

4. Apply to moldings, doorways, partitions; Emmotllar pieces.

5. Whitewash: apply whitewash with a brush or broom.

Forms and objects

  • Plaster portals, moldings, cornices and vaults.
  • Whitewashed facades.
  • Guixer's donkey: see Vocabulari.

Vocabulary

  • guix: plaster.
  • guix viu / guix mort: cast with strength / who has lost it.
  • guixer / guixaire: who works or sells plaster (fon. mall. giʃáјnə).
  • ase guixer / ase de guixer: donkey intended for transporting plaster (Mall.).
  • «Guix i calç, tapen molts de mals»: saying.
  • emblanquinar: whitewash.

Geography

  • Plasterers and ovens in areas with plaster (Mallorca location to be verified).

Short story

  • 1309: «Bn. Buffiyl guixer per IV portals”, document published in the BSAL.
  • 1381: document of beating and chopping plaster in a house (Catalan area).
  • 20th century: industrial plaster and cement displace local production.

State

I live in rehab. Register of artisans (consultation 10/13/2026): 6 guixaire inscriptions in Mallorca (stone family), in addition to the whitewashing category in the repertoire.

Why is it design

  • Fast and reversible material, ideal for ornament and repair.
  • White as a system: whitewashing gives unity to the town and protects the wall.
  • Connects with current bioconstruction (lime, plaster, earth).

For the project

  • Contact guixaires registered for a molding workshop.
  • Sample book of traditional finishes (plaster, lime) for architects.

Frequently asked questions

What is Guixers and emblanquinadors (plasterers and whitewashers)?

The guixer or guixaire manufactured, sold or worked guix (gypsum): calcined and ground calcium sulfate stone that, kneaded with water, sets quickly. It was…

Who practises Guixers and emblanquinadors (plasterers and whitewashers) in Mallorca today?

The Balearic Islands Crafts Register lists 6 artisans linked to this craft, in Palma, Manacor.

What are the traditional words for Guixers and emblanquinadors (plasterers and whitewashers)?

Some words: ase guixer / ase de guixer, emblanquinar, guix, guix viu / guix mort, guixer / guixaire, «Guix i calç, tapen molts de mals».

Sources

Working text from the Disseny Indígena knowledge base, machine-translated from Spanish.

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