The handcraft
Peruvian handicrafts: an ancestral legacy
Peruvian handicrafts are the reflection of a millennia-old history and a unique cultural blending. Behind each object lie hours of meticulous work and techniques passed down from generation to generation. While the city of Cusco gathers a large part of this production in its markets, you should know that almost every region of Peru actually has its own craft specialty. Here is a guide to help you recognize and find the country's true treasures.
Textiles and alpaca wool
- Sweaters, beanies (chullos) and scarves: The most sought-after pieces are woven from "baby alpaca" wool (the animal's first shearing, which is extremely soft and warm). You will find magnificent pieces in Cusco and Arequipa.
- Rugs and blankets: Weavings with complex geometric or floral patterns are the specialty of The Andes. The communities of Chinchero (near Cusco) and Taquile Island (on Lake Titicaca) are world-renowned for their colorful textiles made with natural dyes (cochineal, corn, plants).
- Embroidery: Sumptuous, colorful embroideries on cushions, belts, or skirts are typical of the Puno region and the Colca Valley.
Ceramics and pottery
- The bulls of Pucará (Toritos de Pucará): These small ceramic figures, painted in bright colors, are traditionally placed on the roofs of Andean houses to bring happiness, protection, and fertility to the home.
- Chulucanas pottery: Originating from northern Peru (Piura), this pottery is distinguished by its round shapes and two-tone geometric patterns (often black and white), obtained through a smoking technique using mango leaves.
- Miniature churches (Iglesitas de barro): These charming clay churches are the great specialty of artisans from the village of Quinua, near Ayacucho.
Wood, stone and gourd carving
- Retablos (Ayacucho altarpieces): Contrary to popular belief, these masterpieces come from Ayacucho (not Cusco). They are wooden boxes with painted doors containing dozens of tiny, hand-modeled figures (made from potato dough and plaster). Originally religious, they now represent scenes of daily life, festivals, or harvests.
- Pyrographed gourds (Mates burilados): A specialty of the Junín region (Huancayo). Artisans use red-hot tools to engrave incredibly precise scenes onto dried gourds.
- Huamanga stone carvings: A white, translucent stone similar to alabaster, quarried and delicately carved in the Ayacucho region.
- Carnival masks: Made of papier-mâché or tin, representing demons or mythological animals, they are essential during the Candelaria festival in Puno.
Jewelry and silversmithing
- Silver filigree: This silversmithing technique, which involves braiding very fine silver threads to create jewelry (earrings, pendants) that looks like lace, is the specialty of Catacaos (Piura) and San Jerónimo (Junín).
- Tupus: These large silver or silver-plated pins, sometimes highly elaborate, are used by Andean women to fasten their heavy traditional shawls.
Tips for responsible shopping
- The art of bargaining: It is entirely possible to negotiate prices in local markets. However, always do so with a smile and keep in mind the amount of labor required to make a handmade piece. Bargaining should always be respectful.
- Where to buy?: Don't overlook the artisan markets in Lima (like the Inka Market in Miraflores). Although you can find excellent pieces directly from the producers during your excursions, the capital's markets have the advantage of gathering crafts from all over the country in one place.
- Checking alpaca quality: Beware of sweaters sold at very low prices: they are almost always mixed with acrylic. True "baby alpaca" wool is cool to the touch, heavy, and does not "squeak" when you rub the fibers together.
- Silver and gold: If you want to buy genuine silver items or jewelry, check the hallmark: the number 925 (for 92.5% pure silver) must be stamped on it. For gold, look for the 18K mark.
- Protecting heritage: Remember that genuine antique items (pre-Columbian pottery, ancient textiles) are part of the nation's cultural heritage. Buying them illegally fuels looting, and taking them out of Peruvian territory is strictly prohibited by law.
- Beware of replicas: If the craft you bought is a beautiful period copy (huacos, Nazca or Moche style ceramics), do not throw away the receipt or the artisan's certificate. Customs at the airport will ask for them to prove that it is indeed a contemporary reproduction.
