wool art

Vertical bands of earth tones distinguish this classic poncho for men. Artisans of the centre for Traditional Textiles of Cusco work with ancestral techniques to create fashion for today and always. Woven by hand of fine alpaca wool, prized by the ancient Inca for its lightweight warmth, its colours come from natural dyes. Geometric motifs pay tribute to the traditions of Chinchero, where time seems to have stood still for centuries.

The community raises and cares for its own alpacas. The fleece is washed, carded and spun by hand using a pushka, or drop spindle. The dyes come from plants, nuts and tree bark. The next step is one of the most important, as the artisan prepares the warp, or vertical threads for the backstrap loom. This determines the size of the textile, the colour combinations, and the patterns that will be woven.

The intensity of colour can vary depending on the hardness of the water, the altitude and the local dye sources, making each textile a unique piece of handcrafted art.

Finely knit zigzags and diamonds recall the geometric motifs of Peru's Inca art. Ricardo and Cesar create a handsome men's cardigan of fine alpaca wool, once reserved for ancient kings. Lichen brown find a complement in taupe with accents in pumpkin for a pop of color. The Andean artisans complete the cozy sweater with with a shawl-collar coconut shell buttons.

For this delightful ceramic mug, Alejandra Aceves depicts the motifs of the Otomi tenango — textiles covered with hand-embroidery on animal and plant designs drawn freehand on the fabric. Even cave art in the sierra of Mexico's Hidalgo state can come to life on these tenangos. The skilled artisans use a closed herringbone stitch now known as the Otomi stitch that shows only the outline of the patterns on the reverse side.

For this cheerful ceramic mug, Alejandra Aceves depicts the colorful motifs of the Otomi tenango — textiles covered with hand-embroidery covering animal and plant designs drawn freehand on the fabric. Even cave art in the sierra of Mexico's Hidalgo state can come to life on these tenangos. The skilled artisans use a closed herringbone stitch now known as the Otomi stitch that shows only the outline of the patterns on the reverse side.