wool art

Inspired by the beauty of the Andean Mountains, Peru's Luis Leon creates a truly artistic tapestry. He works on a traditional loom with wool, utilizing a technique known as llenado to hand-weave this tapestry. A square showcases abstract shapes in earth and green tones, while white threads connect it to a dangling portion with square patterns and a fringe.

In celebration of Andean countryside workers, the talented artisans of Peru's Ulloa Family design a reverent tapestry. With geometric forms, three Andean women--two with babies slung across their backs--set about their work in the fields as the sun sets pasts the mountains. This moody tapestry is handwoven of wool on an artisanal telar de pedal, or floor loom.

Weaving is an ancient tradition in the Andes, and handloomed Inca textiles were once more highly prized than gold. Carrying on the legacy, Eliazar Ochoa creates an intricate tapestry of dazzling beauty. His motifs are inspired by ancient Andean art, executed in a woolen palette of glowing warmth.

Brilliant birds share their Amazon home with bugs and beetles of all kinds. Celebrating the astonishing variety of rainforest life, Eliazar Ochoa depicts them in hand-loomed wool. Pre-Hispanic motifs in rich earth tones surround this extraordinary tapestry.

Titled "Bosque de las aves" in Spanish.

Zosimo Laura evokes the bold geometry of the Nazca Plain, intricately portrayed in hand-loomed wool. Mirror images in ochre and orange find a home on velvet black. The mysterious lines of Nazca depict abstract shapes, animal and bird figures. Probably the best-known geoglyphs in the world, they can be seen in their entirety only from the air.

Titled "Figuras de Nazca" in Spanish.

Seeds take shape in ivory as Zosimo Laura combines shades of brown and rust. Inspired by ancient Andean art, this handsome cushion cover pays tribute to the fertile earth. Virgin wool comes to life in Ayacucho style on a traditional handloom.

Crafted by hand, this delightful morral combines rich textures with red, white and rich earthen browns. Artisan members of Peru's Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco first knot the yarn before it is woven on a backstrap loom. The motifs derive from Inca art in an effort to keep the traditional patterns and techniques alive as well as their Andean identity. This texture is known as urpi, which means "dove" in the Quechua language.

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

Traditional Zapotec patterns surface in green and rust tones, adorning this 100% wool rug. The piece is carefully hand-loomed by the skilled artisans of the Ruiz Bazan Family workshop. The family workshop is part of a well-known community of artisans who throughout the years have perfected the art of weaving. The lovely hues are obtained from organic dyes, employing ancient techniques developed by ancient civilizations. A striking complement to any home décor