horse art

Working in the traditional folk art known as arpilleria, Leonor Quispe in Peru creates this marvelous cotton blend wall hanging. The fabric applique becomes a detailed harvest scene, with a cornfield in the foreground. Swans dot a pond in the center; while houses, horses and mountains populate the background. The artisan's attention to detail is magnificent.

Maribel Posso takes inspiration from traditional Pucara bulls to create this joyful Pucara horse. It's handcrafted in ceramic and painted with colourful floral designs over a deep red background.

Pucara figurines are a tradition native to the Puno region of Peru that mixes Andean beliefs and traditions with Spanish influences. The sculptures symbolize prosperity, happiness, and fertility and are commonly gifted to newlyweds and kept in homes as good luck amulets.

Maribel Posso takes inspiration from traditional Pucara bulls to create this joyful Pucara horse. It's handcrafted in ceramic and painted with colorful floral designs over a white background.

Pucara figurines are a tradition native to the Puno region of Peru that mixes Andean beliefs and traditions with Spanish influences. The sculptures symbolize prosperity, happiness, and fertility and are commonly gifted to newlyweds and kept in homes as good luck amulets.

Working in the fabulous Oaxacan folk art form known as alebrijes, Mexico's Esteban Hernandez creates this unique sculpture. He carves the pegasus from copal wood, which is then carefully painted by hand in minute detail with a rainbow of colours. Removable parts are detached for safe shipping.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all ran at him, shouting "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache.

With the head of a dragon, body of a horse, and hooves of a unicorn, the pi xiu is an auspicious mythical creature of Chinese origin that is believed to bring wealth and good fortune. Thai artisans Thatsanee and Ramphan create this pair of sculptures, which is crafted from ceramic and treated with a crackled green celadon glaze.