gifts for sisters

Stylized peacocks and pretty flowers pose on festive ornaments — one each in green, red, yellow and orange. Working in an ancient art they learned from their father, the Canto Sisters craft the set from dried gourds harvested from the yerba mate plant. They are cleaned, dried and painted before the images are meticulously engraved around the surface by hand.

Cultivated on the Peruvian coast for 6,000 years, mate gourds were decorated with images of birds and fish by the pre-Inca Moche and Chimu peoples. But it was the Inca who went on to use the gourds as cups and bowls, in ceremonial objects and in musical instruments.

Because each unique piece is handcrafted from a natural gourd, please expect slight variations in shape, size and motifs.

Dress up a pair of jeans or a simple t-shirt with this light cotton jacket. Antonio Cajahuanca creates it from laurel green cotton fabric and decorates it with embroidered floral designs.

Antonio grew up immersed in the textile tradition of his hometown, deep in the Andes mountains. As an adult, he decided to combine his skill and knowledge with those from his sisters and start a workshop. Their designs combine natural materials with novel styles and techniques, and draw inspiration from the culture and landscapes around them.

Dress up a pair of white sneakers or a simple t-shirt with this lightweight cotton skirt. Antonio Cajahuanca designs and crafts it in a laurel green cotton with embroidery, lace trim and a convenient adjustable drawstring waistband.

Antonio grew up immersed in the textile tradition of his hometown of San Pedro de Cajas, deep in the Andes mountains. As an adult, he decided to combine his skill and knowledge with those from his sisters and start a workshop. Their designs combine natural materials with novel styles and techniques and draw inspiration from the culture and landscapes around them.