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OUR COLLECTION — LATIN AMERICA — PERU  19. SMALL MATE GOURD NATIVITY

Picture
This carving is a dried maté gourd, crafted by a native Indian artesano in Peru. Gourds are available in a variety of sizes, so artisans usually contract with growers for a certain approximate size in the sowing season, October. After harvesting, the gourds are sun-dried for about six months so they are ready to be worked the following June. A pipe, made from hollow eucalyptus branches, is put in a fire. The artesano then blows air through the hot pipe to scorch the gourd, creating beautiful patinas on the outer surface. Later, the gourd is intricately carved using typical woodworking tools.
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This gourd has been wood-burnt and carved to look like a fat flute player. It opens to reveal twin retablos, or dioramas. The right side depicts a Nativity scene (complete with baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the wise men and 2 barn animals) and the left side shows a Peruvian family with their llama and prickly pear cacti with crimson fruit called tuna. It stands about 4 inches tall and is just over 3 inches at the base. The tiny figurines are from 1 to 1.5 inches either tall or wide.
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  • Home
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