piece of art

Whispering of the Peruvian past, soft turquoise, gray and black reverberate like memories. Wilmer Vilchez works in precious alpaca wool to create a beautiful shawl on the traditional handloom.

Wrap yourself in warmth and comfort with this eye-catching throw blanket, the perfect companion for an afternoon relaxing on the couch or a well-deserved siesta. Bursting with life, its bold stripes and intricate motifs in spicy rust and crisp white dance across a soothing tan canvas. Woven with care on a traditional pedal loom, artisan W. Rojas Yuri’s plush alpaca blend creation is more than just a cozy accessory—it's a vibrant piece of art that brings the rich tapestry of Peruvian culture right into your home.

Show your stripes in this bright knit sweater from Peruvian artisan Alfredo Falcon. Colorful stripes in shades of Tiffany blue, vermilion, and viridian green incorporated with geometric patterns make this eye-catching design. The sweater features a fitted waist, wide arms, and indigo trim. You'll be the hit of the party in this soft sweater!

Intricate geometric motifs come to life in radiant colors derived from natural dyes. Artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco work with ancestral techniques to create fashion for today and always. This elegant ruana cape is woven by hand of fine alpaca wool, prized by the ancient Inca for its lightweight warmth. The cloak of many colors includes red, goldenrod yellow, fuchsia and orange, among others.

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 color combinations, and the patterns that will be woven.

The intensity of color 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.

The long tradition of exquisite textiles survives to these modern days in the talented hands of artisan Wilfredo Herencia of Peru. Refined alpaca yarns are woven to create this soft scarf of floral inspiration. Grey, pink, blue and yellow hues unite in this gorgeous winter piece, whose pattern merges blooms and geometric details.