Peruvian handicrafts are among the country’s main attractions due to their diverse cultural roots. One of their most important features is the wide variety of options available, ranging from textiles to flowers, candles, religious candles, ceramics, jewelry, and more.
The greatest advantage of Peruvian handicrafts is that these combine ancestral elements from ancient Inca civilizations with Spanish, Asian, and other global influences. This positions Peru as one of the most relevant countries in the Americas in terms of this industry.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the main types of Peruvian handicrafts that you must see in regions like Cusco, Puno, Ayacucho, and Arequipa, highlighting the different types of products, regional particularities, and some tips for acquiring quality pieces.
If you want to know all the details, we invite you to read the blog to the end.
You might also be interested in: What are the traditional festivals and celebrations of Cusco?
What Types of Peruvian Handicrafts Exist?
The multiple identities of Peru are one of the key aspects that define its culture and handicrafts. Since its early days, this region of the Americas has stood out for its impressive ability to create art from almost anything.
What distinguishes Peruvian handicrafts from the rest of the world is that they don’t only tell stories through their pieces; each object or creation carries the essence of the wisdom of the artisans who dedicate time to their craft.
It’s also worth mentioning the precision with which Peruvian artisans work, constantly striving for excellence in each product. In this section, we’ll take a look at the main types of Peruvian handicrafts you can find in the country.
Ceramics
Ceramics are one of Peru’s main handicrafts and among the most promoted in the country. The art in this case blends influences from various historical periods, such as the pre-Hispanic era, with different techniques like negative painting, which is one of the most striking.
This method of firing ceramics to reduce oxygen and then using it in art is still employed in specific areas of the country, such as Piura and the Peruvian jungle. Other ancient techniques, like “paleteo”, are also still in use, where ceramic pieces are shaped by tapping, and are common in regions like Cajamarca.
Candles and Religious Candles
Another important Peruvian handicraft is candles and religious candles, which are generally directly related to religion. Unlike regular candles, the uniqueness of this art is the creation of religious images on candles used in processions.
In addition, the most striking decorations are used in other celebrations such as patron saint festivals. There are many regions in the country where you can find this art, but the most common are Huaraz, Lima, and Cusco.
Textile Art
Peruvian textile handicrafts are highly recognized worldwide, and most tourists who visit the country always take home something woven. The variety of textiles in Peru is so vast that it’s difficult to quantify its art in this context.
This art has been practiced since 2500 B.C., with predominant materials being cotton and fibers. What makes Peruvian textile art unique is the number of designs created by hand, including faces, animals, and more.
The preservation of these techniques has been achieved through family traditions in regions like Puno. Peruvian textile handicrafts have been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2008, when UNESCO declared them as such.
Jewelry
Peruvian jewelry handicrafts are among the most sought-after by tourists. In fact, many local pieces are displayed at major airports throughout the country.
The purpose of these exhibitions is to allow foreigners to appreciate the handmade art of Peruvian jewelers and their impressive work with silver. The variety of manufacturing techniques is one of the key points of this art, as well as the fine finishes on the pieces.
Rush and Cane Weavings
Among the diverse range of Peruvian handicrafts, you’ll also find famous handmade baskets and other woven items made from materials like rush and sugarcane.
This traditional craft is carried out with great attention to detail using knives, mallets, and other tools. The final product is beautiful baskets with innovative designs that have evolved over time.
Wood and Stone Carving
Wood carving is one of the most beautiful arts in Peru, involving the creation of unique pieces hand-carved by local artisans. One of its most significant features is that some pieces contain inlays of other materials such as gold and silver.
Stone carving is another truly impressive form of Peruvian handicrafts, ranging from artistic sculptures to the carving of quartz and other energetic stones.
Floral Art and Ephemeral Art
The Peruvian handicrafts made from flowers are striking to anyone who visits Peru. Local artisans create large flower carpets during certain times of the year, such as during patron saint celebrations.
Ephemeral art in Peru is one of the most eye-catching artistic activities today. It involves the creation of works of art painted on the ground, which can only be appreciated for a short period of time, hence the name.
Which Handicrafts Predominate in the Different Regions of Peru?
Now that you know more about the types of Peruvian handicrafts, let’s talk about the regions where you can find different artistic creations to take home as souvenirs. Here’s more detail.
Cusco
Cusco is a region with a rich cultural heritage, and its handicrafts are one of its main attributes. The handicrafts in Cusco are diverse, but in most places you visit, you’ll find a lot of textile art. In the Imperial City, you can buy scarves, bags, ponchos, and more.
If you’re looking for something smaller, you can opt for woven bracelets made by local artisans. But that’s not all—ceramic art, wood carving, and jewelry are also prevalent. You can find handicrafts in Cusco at places like the Cusco Artisan Center, the San Blas neighborhood, and the Pisac Market.
Ayacucho
Ayacucho is currently considered the capital of popular art in Peru due to the wide range of artistic expressions it offers. Local creativity inspires artisans to combine pre-Hispanic methods with ancestral techniques to create the best of Peruvian handicrafts.
Ayacucho’s most common and impressive art form is the “retablo” (a small religious altar), but that’s not all. The region is also known for its high-quality jewelry, particularly silver and filigree work. Additionally, ceramics and stone carving are significant in Ayacucho.
To buy handicrafts in Ayacucho, you can visit places like the Ayacucho Artisan Center, the Artisan Market, and the Retablo House Museum. You’ll find thousands of options to take home a piece of the region's art.
Puno
Handicrafts in Puno stand out for the variety of creations by local artisans, from beautiful embroidered textiles to ceramics. Additionally, it’s possible to find pieces hand-carved from wood.
Puno’s leatherwork is one of the key features of its textiles, as it uses materials from alpacas and llamas, guaranteeing a unique final product. To buy handicrafts in Puno, visit the Artisan Market, the Lake Producers’ Artisan Center, and the Puno Artisan Fair.
Arequipa
When it comes to diversity, the handicrafts in Arequipa are among the best in Peru. One of the main handicrafts from this region is sculptures made from “sillar” (a type of volcanic stone), Colca embroidery, which is the region’s best representation of textile art, and, of course, ceramics and alpaca wool textiles.
Another artistic feature of Arequipa is the popular masks, which are a classic element of local identity. You can buy handicrafts in Arequipa at places like the Yanahuara Artisan Market and the Central Market.
Piura
Piura is another part of Peru where handicrafts have a lot to offer. One of the main handicrafts in this region is handmade straw weaving by local artisans. They also are experts in creating ceramic pieces using ancient techniques and materials like clay.
In addition, jewelry has an important place in Piura’s handicrafts, characterized by creating intricate silver and gold pieces using filigree techniques. You can buy handicrafts in Piura at places like the Central Market and the Catacaos Artisan Market.
Lima
In Lima, you can also find the best of Peruvian handicrafts, such as black ceramics, which are considered the most significant cultural representation of the region. These ceramics are notable for their geometric shapes, which attract both locals and foreigners.
In addition, Lima’s handicrafts also include silver jewelry, wood carvings, and retablos. These religious pieces have earned acceptance over the years. Lima’s artisan markets can be found in several districts, such as Miraflores and Barranco.
Tips for Buying Peruvian Handicrafts
As you’ve seen, each region of Peru offers unique opportunities to buy the best Peruvian handicrafts. To make your experience great, here are some tips to keep in mind:
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Learn about the origin of the piece: Before buying Peruvian handicrafts, make sure the product is authentic. It’s ideal to buy directly from the artisans to support their work and get meaningful insights into the creation process.
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Look for authenticity: This ties closely to the previous point. It’s advisable not to buy imitation art, given the hard work of local artisans. Always check if you’re buying something real.
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Shop at recognized stores: The best way to ensure you’re buying reliable Peruvian handicrafts is to visit well-known places like the main markets we mentioned earlier.
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Choose wisely: Peruvian handicrafts are so diverse that you can take several items home, but choose products that are easy to transport, such as textiles, small carved wood or stone pieces, and ceramics.
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Negotiate: Believe it or not, if you manage to strike a good deal with Peruvian artisans, you’ll likely pay a little less for the handicraft of your choice. Always consider this possibility.
Are You Ready to Discover the Best Peruvian Handicrafts?
As you’ve seen, Peruvian handicrafts are incredibly diverse, ranging from textiles, alpaca wool weavings, ceramics, candles, wood and stone carvings, and much more.
After this tour through the main Peruvian handicrafts and regions, we hope you have a better idea of what you’d like to take home from your trip.
If you’re thinking of visiting Peru and don’t know where to start organizing everything, trust Gurú Explorers. We’re the experts you need for your safety and the best experience of your life.
Pack your bags, take a piece of Peru home, and keep coming back!
If you’re planning a trip to Peru, don’t miss our article How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Peru? Discover the Main Expenses.