There is a big variety of handcraft
items made in Ayacucho. It represents a mixture of the Spanish
Colonial art with the indigenous style. In these days the techniques
developed by these artisans are well known.
Outstanding the very famous "Retablos", "mates
burilados", textiles, carved stone (from Huamanga), ceramics,
silver ware, and "Tablas de Sarhua.
Retablos
Also called "cajas de San Marcos o de San Antonio"
(Saint Mark or Saint Anthony boxes). The Spanish artisans were
the first in creating them as a result of the need to have an
altar where they could worship their Saints during their multiple
voyages. Since the XIX century they were not only carved for
religious purposes, but also to recreate daily scenes from their
common lives.
The actual retablo is made of wood, with one or more horizontal
floors, and with two big doors decorated with vivid colors.
Inside, there are many little human figures in different scenes
of their life.
Mates Burilados
Pre-Inca handcraft. Made with empty squash shells, used to carry
food or drinks. The Spanish artisans carved figures instead
of the geometrical figures the indigenous carved. The images
they carved were taken from real life situations.
Textiles
Ancestral industry. Developed for more than three thousand years
by these artisans. The indigenous were experts in this art.
During times they had acquired modern techniques that improve
their textiles. Nowadays, are well known and commercialized
all over the world. Made with natural materials and dyes. They
use alpaca and sheep wool. Creating sweaters, blankets, ponchos
and carpets.
Piedra de Huamanga
Stone extracted from a city called Huamanga, close to Ayacucho.
Harder than clay, but less than marble, has a certain kind of
transparency. The artisans carve the stone creating very beauty
images; it is considered as one of the most important art features
from Ayacucho.
Ceramics
It is another art characteristic that counts with more than
three thousand years in Ayacucho. People from Quinua, a little
town near Ayacucho, are the best artists that develop this work.
The most common representations are the churches that are set
on top of each house all over the region, as a tradition. Also
important little bulls, candle holders and plates with traditional
colors and decorations.
Silver Ware and Filigree
The abundance of this metal in the region allows the development
of this art. Since Colonial times, creations of extraordinary
beauty had been done, from very little jewels to big ones.
Santa Ana is a neighborhood in which you will find the most
important artisans that work in silver.
