peruvian boxes

Celebrating the condor and its impressive size and strength, the yawar ("blood" in Quechua) fiesta takes place in Peru's Apurimac and Ayacucho regions. The condor represents the people of Peru, while the bull represents the Spanish. If the condor flies, this augurs a good harvest, and musicians accompany the event. Alejandro Chávez crafts the wooden box to house this retablo, or diorama and paints it in vivid colors. The figures are carefully modeled from ceramic plaster and painted by hand.

Set between a nativity scene and a band of traditional musicians, a bullfight takes place in the Andes. Spectators gather around while the tradition and color of the corrida de toros – running of the bulls – is played out in vivid drama. This traditional Spanish pageant of valor and grace is equally vital in Peru. Alejandro Chávez crafts the wooden box to house a retablo, or diorama and paints it with floral motifs. The figures are carefully modeled from ceramic plaster and painted by hand.

Says Peruvian artist Julio Gallardo, "I love the type of work that I do, since it allows me to form whatever scene, thought, or idea in a wood box and deepen the significance of each detail." He handcrafts this retablo of local tornillo wood, featuring two swinging doors that are painted by hand with a floral design. These doors open to a fantastic world, depicting a group of salesmen in their tienda de corazones, surrounded by a variety of colorful hearts. Each miniscule piece in this retablo is crafted and painted by hand. Gallardo draws inspiration from themes of love, hoping to spread that with this creative retablo.

The birth of baby Jesus united each corner of the world in a serene moment where only love reigned. Captured for eternity, that scene remains alive in this wood nativity retablo by Peruvian artisan Alejandro Chavez. Hand-painted floral details and ceramic figures compose this tender creation, infused with an aura of peace.

A brilliant painted wood box opens to reveal handcrafted masks. Used during the Carnival celebrations preceding Lent, they show an astonishing array of animals, human and fantasy faces. Alejandro Chávez displays them in a traditional diorama, known as a retablo; each figurine is modeled by hand.