PERUVIAN HANDCARVED GOURDS

Gourd carving is an indigenous art in Peru and dates back to 2500 B.C. The gourds are grown in the warm valleys of the Andes, the coastal oases and in the jungles.

Gourds are dried, skinned,sanded smooth and the design is carved on them freehand. One method of finishing it is to cover the entire surface with a mixture of oil and charcoal and then remove it, leaving an outline of charcoal in the carving. The other method involves burning sections of the surface with an ember. By blowing on the ember, the artist can regulate the temperature to produce various shadings.

click image for close-up

#ADAlpd