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Mate Gourd Ornaments

Mate Gourd Ornaments

Regular price $34.99
Sale price $34.99 Regular price
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SKU: SKU: SK-NVC-211997

Product Features

Working with Fair Trade certified organizations is an important part of what we do. This product is made by artisans that are fairly compensated for their skilled work, and helps provide a living wage as well as safe work conditions.


Peruvian artisan Emilio Hurtado has created these festive Christmas ornaments from dried mate gourds. Each set of four is engraved and painted with butterflies and flowers by hand.

Because each unique piece is hand-crafted from natural gourds, please expect slight variations in shape and size.

  • Dried mate gourd, acrylic cord
  • Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
  • Fair trade hand crafted in Peru

Artisan Information

Emilio Hurtado

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I'm Emilio F. Hurtado Laureano, and I was born in Huancayo in 1954. This art is in my blood. My art has been carried within my family from generation to generation, all of us bringing to life the magical world of natural materials. Through my own initiative and desire to learn, my eyes saw and my hands created. This is how I began in this wonderful work, trying to create and create.

I'd describe my art as something elaborated with great care in order to achieve better and better quality each day. I feel proud of the advances of each of my works.

Many years ago, I was orphaned — at age twelve — and needed to work to survive. Fortunately life allowed me to follow the path of my family's legacy — our magical world of traditional Peruvian mate gourd art. For me, this work remains a place of wonderful daydreams.

Above all, I've always been motivated by my family, my children, my town, and to spread the richness of Peru through my customs.

I work in a family setting where we all put something into each piece, to communicate the marvels of our Andean home. We want the customs of our ancestors to be known.

I remember when I began. I went to work in the handicraft workshops that existed when I was only 12. I worked there until I was 20. At that time, I decided to marry and quit my job. With my brothers, we formed a group that will always remember the Hurtado family and continue the art of our ancestors.

The greatest challenge in my life has been to help my brothers get ahead. They were only eight, six and four when our parents died. I was the oldest and had to struggle for all of us, to feed and educate everyone, even though I didn't enjoy consistent work at that time. That's why I worked so hard to learn this art day by day, in order to start a workshop for all of us and not have to depend on anyone.

Today I also help teach students. It's wonderful to be able to reach them, and to leave a little bit of myself in each part of this work. I thank God for giving me a skill that others can use to get ahead in life, just as I did.

I'd like to tell all of you that our carved mate gourds are filled with history and culture. They are more than a gift, they are the result of generations of artisans. We are very proud of them and grateful for this opportunity.

Supplier Information

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NOVICA was started with a dream to create a better world for artisans, because a better world for artisans is a better world for all.

Along the way, the founders of NOVICA discovered something very important - as artisans around the world succeeded, there was also a visible and profound impact on the communities around them.

Your purchases are that powerful. They directly and indirectly provide for education, help with health care, fund basic needs, support children, preserve disappearing arts, and of course, spread happiness around the world.

The founders of NOVICA had a vision of the future that is not one of mega factories producing cookie cutter products for all to cheaply consume. Instead, a bright future that celebrates artisans who take the time to create an item by hand. A future where time is protected, where stories are told, where unique details are honored. Love, respect, inclusiveness become driving force.

Shipping

United States shipping only. Expedited shipping is unavailable. Allow for 1-2 days extra processing time. This product may ship separately from other products in your order and may have longer than normal shipping timelines as it will ship directly from its country of origin.

Returns

All sales of this product are final -- we do not accept returns or issue replacements unless there is a defect with the product. Please review our Returns & Exchanges policy.

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Customer Reviews

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T
Tammy
Beautifully Made

These are beautifully designed with lovely craftsmanship! They are very strong as well. My cat knocked one off the tree & I almost stepped on it, but it did not break! They look GREAT on the tree!