Vintage Intricately Hand-Carved Peruvian Folk Art Storyteller Gourd Rattle

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Description

Beautiful and intricate Peruvian Mate Burilado – Finely Hand-Carved and Incised Gourd,

This is a magnificent vintage Peruvian storyteller gourd … Read more Beautiful and intricate Peruvian Mate Burilado – Finely Hand-Carved and Incised Gourd,

This is a magnificent vintage Peruvian storyteller gourd (mate burilado) showcasing an extraordinary level of traditional hand-scribed detail. Entirely hand-carved and fire-etched with remarkable density, the elongated natural vessel serves as a 360-degree panoramic canvas chronicling rich Andean village life, community festivals, and agricultural harvest scenes.
Masterfully shaded using traditional pyro-engraving techniques, the surface yields deep sienna, warm ochre, and crisp charcoal tones. This dual-purpose ethnographic object features an intact hollow core filled with original natural seeds, creating a functional, beautiful rainstick or rattle sound when tilted or gently shaken. Bringing exquisite global soul and irreplaceable organic texture to mid-century modern, bohemian, or transitional interiors, it sits elegantly on a console table, mantle, or shelf display.

* The decoration is deeply and very finely incised, rather than simply painted on.
* There are continuous narrative scenes containing people, animals, plants and what appear to be village/agricultural activities.
* The scenes are divided and framed by numerous very precise geometric borders.
* The artist has used the natural reddish-brown gourd against darkened areas and the pale exposed/incised lines to create the remarkable contrast.
* The craftsmanship is quite sophisticated—the tiny figures and repeated patterns are especially characteristic of the more elaborate mates burilados associated with the Cochas area.
* The seeds inside rattle if shaken


Exquisite hand-carved gourd storyteller from Peru, showcasing traditional Peruvian folk art. This unique piece is handmade in Peru by skilled women artisans, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region. It is filled with 2 separate scenes depicting festivities and dancing. So much detail. With its intricate design and cultural significance, this gourd storyteller is a valuable collectible for those interested in the art form from Latin American cultures.

This traditional Peruvian Mates Burilados (Hand-Carved Gourd Sculptures) has a rich history in the central highlands of Peru (specifically the Mantaro Valley) spanning over 4,000 years.

Hand-crafted by skilled artisans from Peru using traditional techniques passed down through generations, each gourd is meticulously etched using a fine chisel (buril) and shaded through a natural fire-etching (pyrography) process to achieve rich tones of brown, tan, and black.

Measures approximately 11 1/2" x 3" s 3"

This 11 1/2" vessel is unusually interesting because it captures a high-density panoramic look in a more versatile, linear form factor and isn’t just decorated with a repeating pattern. It appears to tell a story or depict aspects of everyday life, which is an important characteristic of traditional narrative mate burilado centerpieces.

The photos show the actual item.

Please take the time to review all high-resolution photos closely as they form a large part of the description!

Very good vintage condition. Hard outer rind remains exceptionally rigid and structurally sound. No cracks, deep splits, holes or structural flaws. Incised linework remains remarkable crisp and deep with wonderful natural aging patina. Natural variations in shape, texture, and coloration are present, which are characteristic of natural gourd mediums and artisan handmade items.

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