El Mate Burilado

 

 

These curious little things are intricately engraved pumpkins.  This particular form of folk art, el mate burilado, dates back to 4,000 BC and comes from the "Sierra" region of Peru (the mountain region). The pumpkins are dried and then carved to depict incredibly detailed scenes of peasant life in the mountains.  These were created by the Osores family.  They own and run Arte Osores, my favourite artesan shop in Miraflores.  They have some of the most unique and beautiful pieces I have seen.