The International Centennial Exhibition, held in Buenos Aires in commemoration of the May Revolution in 1810, brought together exhibitions devoted to the fields of hygiene, agriculture, transportation, fine arts, and industry. The decorative arts, halfway between art and industry, were included in both the artistic and industrial exhibitions and were presented as synonymous with the progress that brought both areas together. The international character of this exhibition contributed to the discussion around these works by showing numerous foreign productions in the local context. This article will seek to analyze the impact of these foreign productions and research the possibilities and discussions around a national production.