Hand Carved Peruvian Story Telling Gourd

Gourd art is the oldest and most traditional example of Peruvian handicraft. The mate grows on a climbing plant that thrives in the dry warm regions of the Andes. The weather conditions of the Andes contribute to its hard shell that is similar to wood. The handcrafted nature of these gourds from Peru will produce minor imperfections. Subtle shade variations will occur from piece to piece, adding to its unique qualities. After the gourds are harvested, the artisan removes the outer green skin exposing the light tan color underneath. The gourds are then cleaned and dried in the sun. Then using a carving tool called a Buril and several other primitive tools, the artisan painstakingly removes small pieces of gourd to create a three dimensional version of the original design. The designs are further enhanced with a heated burin using pressure to acquire the desired tones. The designs are not painted on the gourd, but rather etched and burnt, in a process similar to wood burning.