christmas decorations

Watching over their tiny son, Mary and Joseph smile as shepherds worship in the blue Andean night. Beneath, an Andean hat shop offers sombreros for sale. Alejandro Chávez portrays the scenes on two levels in three dimensions. This traditional diorama is known as a retablo; each figurine is modeled and painted by hand.

Alejandro Chavez crafts a mirror frame rooted in Andean tradition with four different vignettes. At the top, Andean shepherds serenade the Holy Family beneath the stars on the very first Christmas. To the left and right, a llama and a cow rest outdoors. Along the bottom are three bright flowers. Known as a retablo, this traditional diorama is housed in a colorful chest crafted of wood and painted. The Peruvian artisan carefully models each figure from ceramic plaster and paints them by hand to surround a heart-shaped looking glass.

Alejandro Chávez crafts a mirror frame rooted in Andean tradition. Varied scenes represent Carnavalito (Little Carnival), a celebration held in the Peruvian Andes. Musicians play traditional instruments, participants re-enact the birth of Jesus, incredible masks hang on the wall, and a couple stands beneath a towering prickly pear cactus. Known as a retablo, this traditional diorama is housed in a colorful chest crafted of wood and painted. Chávez carefully models each figure from ceramic plaster and paints them by hand.

Watching over their tiny son, Mary and Joseph smile. Above them, the three kings bring offerings to the Christ child. Shepherds worship and angels sing in the heavens above. Alejandro Chávez portrays the nativity on four levels in three dimensions. This traditional diorama is known as a retablo; each figurine is modeled and painted by hand.

This handcrafted wall mirror by Alejandro Chavez is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that seamlessly blends the artistic traditions of Ayacucho, Peru, with contemporary decorative elements. Its wooden frame, meticulously hand-carved and painted, bursts with vibrant colors and delicate floral designs that elegantly frame the central composition. At its heart lies the mirror itself, radiating light and adding visual depth while reflecting not only its surroundings but also the profound cultural and spiritual connection of the Andean people to their heritage. Surrounding the mirror, intricately hand-molded and painted ceramic figurines bring to life everyday and festive scenes from rural Andean life: farmers working the land, musicians playing traditional instruments and dancers dressed in vivid regional attire. Adding further dimension, the piece prominently features a nativity scene and a depiction of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, each rendered with exquisite detail and reverence.