The peruvian handcraft is full of beautiful things at very low
prices. Generally, you will find everything everywhere; although, the list hereby
will show you where to find the most beautiful souvenirs (most of the time in
Cuzco).
Leather articles in Lima
Brooches to fix the shawls (tupus) made
in silver or plated metal, sometimes very elaborated in Cuzco
Embroideries on cushions in Puno and
Lima
Gourds engraved and painted around Cuzco.
Pottery, miniature typical churches made of argil
(iglesitas de barro), etc. in Cuzco
Hats made of wove straw or felt in Cuzco
Candles, colored and with geometric or floral
motifs around Cuzco and Lima
Blankets made of lama or alpaca in Cuzco
and Lima
Cribs (retablos). Little figures contained
in a wooden box with painted windows. From a religious origin, their primary
objective has been changed; they are now pagan and pragmatic invocations.
To be bought in Cuzco
Stirrups in silver or plated metal in Lima
Painted images made of a pastry based on
wheat and rice flour, mashed potatoes and plaster) in Cuzco
Toys made of alpaca in Cuzco and Lima
Masks (carnival masks) in Puno
Mirrors with colonial style wooden and golden
plated frames in Lima and Cuzco
Objects with gold watermarks (jewellry, caskets
and jewellry boxes, cigarette cases, etc.) around Cuzco and Lima
Sculpted Objects
of alabaster around Cuzco
Pisco (raisin brandy) in... Pisco
Ponchos a kind of cloak made of alpaca or
sheep wool in Cuzco
Pullovers, Peruvian wool hats (chullos)
made of alpaca, the most beautiful are in Cuzco
Carpets with geometric, floral or typical
motifs around Cuzco
Materials in Cusco
Recommendations
It is possible to barter things in some typical markets.
Don't hurry up to buy everything in Lima, during the tours and excursions
you will be able to find more beautiful handcrafts and cheaper.
If you would like to buy silver objects, check the hallmark underneath it:
the number 9.25 has to be on it; for the ones in gold the mark is 18K.
A system among others to know if a pottery is old: rub it beneath with a
coin; if it remains intact, then it's old.
Don't forget that ancient objects are part of the Peruvian patrimony; their
purchase is legal, the forgery is omnipresent but leaving the territory with
then is forbidden.
If you buy a copy of an ancient pottery, do not throw away the receipt.
At the airport someone may eventually ask you to see it to justify the reproduction.
