couple sculpture

Standing with open arms, a cuchimilco couple proudly represent Peru's Chancay culture, which flourished from 1200 to 1470 A.D. Their welcoming posture is believed to keep bad energies at bay. Cuchimilcos are always found in pairs of a man and a woman, symbolic of divine duality. Walter Jose Acosta masters ceramic techniques as he crafts each museum replica figurine by hand.

Lyrical and lovely, this handcrafted sculpture holds a wine bottle. Marco Floríndez shapes steel arcs that move close together then outward again. "This was designed with couples in mind," he says. "The human being is complex, but when all is said and done, we are our partner's complement. One can't live without the other."

Wine not included.

Lithe graceful dancers perform the Marinera dance in this vivid sculpture by John Barrow. "It's part of my 'Folklore' series inspired by this beautiful country and its regional traditions," says Barrow with admiration. Originating from northern Peru, the Marinera recreates the sea of emotions surrounding flirtation, attraction and falling in love. It can be danced individually or in couples, and performers hold handkerchiefs in sign of peace. Barrow works with hand-carved segments of cedar, mahogany and ishpingo woods, which he dyes with natural pigments.

The extended family is present in the stone house by the tree as a proud young couple introduces their newborn. Snuggling up to the baby, curious lambs share their warmth in the crisp mountain air. Brothers and sisters look on with excitement while aunts and grandmother bring gifts of home-cooked food to share. A sense of joy and gratitude pervades this scene from a town in the Peruvian Andes. A master ceramic artist, Dionisio Rojas depicts each and every one in exquisite detail, subtly alluding to the first nativity.

"I pay tribute to love, the love of a couple, love for the family, children, friends. Love toward the world in which we live, so that it is better and better. A world filled with peace and hope – all this is reflected in my work through a simple heart. If you look closely, you'll see that they are two halves. Wedding rings form the heads of two people who hold hands," says Peruvian artisan Marco Floríndez. He sculpts this evocative piece of red steel.