special home decor

Working in the three-dimensional applique style known as arpillera, Peru's Leonor Quispe creates this magnificent wall hanging. The large, cotton-blend wall hanging recreates a valley in the Andes, complete with flora, fauna and traditionally-clad Andean women. Condors soar across a brilliant blue sky.

Nyoman Indrawati Subrata of the Subrata Family delicately carves the heroic royal couple of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. The epic poem tells the story of Rama, the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu, who eventually wins Sita in marriage. Displaced as rightful heir to his father's throne, Rama goes into exile with Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Sita is later abducted by the demon-king Ravana. Rama, with the aid of the monkey general Hanoman, searches for Sita and slays Rawana, rescuing her. Rama then regains his throne. Rumors and gossip accuse Sita of adultery during her captivity. Although innocent, she bears Rama's twin sons in exile, sheltered by the hermit Valmiki, the author of the poem. Many years pass, but eventually, Rama and Sita reunite in love. This elegant sculpture by Nyoman Indrawati Subrata of the Subrata Family was created in suar wood which is responsible for the richness of color that can be seen in this masterpiece.

Dressed in payas agung, a traditional Balinese wedding costume, Wayan Rendah's sculpture makes a stunning piece of home decor. The Balinese artisan hand carves the bust from pale crocodile wood, paying special attention to the complex details of the headdress. Please note the main sculpture can be detached from the lotus flower base if needed.

For a fun and lovely addition to your home decor, this composition is painted by Pang-Kod the elephant in Thailand. Working delicately with the paintbrush, the elephant paints an abstract scene with dancing lines of pink, green, yellow, and red.

Asian elephants are an endangered species. By making the Asian elephants' paintings widely accessible to the general public, NOVICA hopes to help increase awareness, encourage conservation, and raise significant funds to assist endangered elephants throughout Asia. For more information, please refer to the elephant's biography.

The reverse side of this original painting features the Elephant Conservation Center's seal of authenticity.

Please note: The elephants hold the paintbrush carefully, by the tip of their trunk - which is also the elephants' delicate nose area. Slight smudging, and an occasional water droplet here and there are to be expected on most elephant paintings. We like to consider that these imperfections add to the conversation value of each piece.

A cobblestone street leads past homes and shops in Antigua, Guatemala. With doors open wide, a small store offers fresh fruit smoothies, coffee, tamales and more. Carolina Cabrera finds beauty in the ancient city, in this case depicting La Calle de la Nobleza with its colorful colonial homes filled with history, and flowers that spill over adobe walls.

Titled "Calle de la Nobleza" in Spanish.