leather boxes

By Erika Ulloa in Peru, this traditional retablo depicts an Andean celebration. People wearing chullo hats party alongside animals, each figurine crafted from ceramic and diligently painted by hand. This Andean scene surrounds the nativity of baby Jesus. A floral wood box with swinging doors frames this retablo. The doors open and close with hinges made from faux leather.

A colorful box opens to reveal a nativity scene. Kneeling in starlight, Mary and Joseph welcome the newborn Christ child along with a shepherd in Andean dress. Alejandro Chávez crafts a traditional Ayacucho-style retablo, a diorama housed in a colorful wood box. The images are modeled of clay and painted by hand, and the box closes with a leather latch.

Led to Bethlehem by a star in the east, the Three Kings bring precious gifts to the Christ Child. Mary and Joseph stand on either side as a cow and donkey kneel beside the manger. This colorful box depicts the Epiphany from the Christmas story in the Gospel of Matthew. Alejandro Chávez crafts a traditional Ayacucho-style retablo, a diorama housed in a colorful wood box. The images are modeled of ceramic and painted by hand, and the box closes with a leather latch.