Peruvian Tapestries For Sale

Maximo Laura was born in Ayacucho, Peru to a family of weavers. Weaving skills and the ancient traditions of Peruvian tapestry was passed down through five generations to this visionary artist – and through dedicated study of art history and literature beyond the borders of Peru, Mr. Laura has become one of the most unique textile artists from South America.

If you are looking for a Peruvian tapestry for sale that is authentic and unique, then you will find exactly what you are looking for in the skilled designs of Maximo Laura. With themes relating to ancestral myths, rituals and scenery as well as inspiration from the modern world, these Peruvian tapestries are so much more than a piece of stunning artwork.

Owning a Peruvian tapestry by Maximo Laura allows you access to designs and creations made by an award-winning tapestry weaver that is a sought-after consultant, designer and lecturer on art.

Peruvian tapestry weaving has been a part of the culture of South America since the Chavin people held sway in Peru – from 1000BC.

Traditional Peruvian weavers pass their knowledge on from generation to generation, and the tapestries available from Maximo Laura Tapestries are the result of five generations of learning and skill – combined with Maestro Laura’s insatiable hunger to learn more about art and history outside of Peru.

The hallmarks of Peruvian tapestry design are interlinked with memories, myths and rituals that have their roots in the society that worshipped the sun, placed great importance on geometric shapes and totemic design, and the importance of societal traditions.

Taking that rich, ancestral history and combining it with contemporary art techniques, Maestro Laura has created visions that speak to tradition and design in intricate, hand woven tapestries.

To find the perfect Peruvian tapestry to feature in your home, we have collected a few of our favorites that show the different techniques, visions and symbols that are inherent parts of Maestro Laura’s history and the history of his people.

Maestro Laura creates his designs following themes. A series of creations follow an idea – whether that is his adoration of the ocean in his Sea Life theme, or praise of the role of music in Andean tradition through the Musician series.

The Abstract theme includes geometric shapes, which became prevalent in Andean art to represent the landscape – circles to represent lakes, zig zags to show mountains, and the later checkerboard pattern that stood for the fields bearing crops.

In ‘Mother Moon’, the moon is the sister of Inti, the Sun God, and worshipped in Andean culture. She is known as Mama Killa, and in traditional tapestries is often represented by a silver disc. This tapestry is hand woven using Peruvian Alpaca and mixed fibers.

‘Sunset Chant’ is a meaningful piece that contains symbolic representations of two of the three realms that form part of the Peruvian belief system. The depiction of Inti for the Hanan Pacha – the heavenly realm, the place where the gods reside and where the Andean people believed they would go when they died. It also features sacred mountains, as well as a human figure; the symbol used to represent the earthly realm where living things dwell. Using traditional handweaving techniques and Peruvian Alpaca wool, this Peruvian tapestry is uniquely textured and beautifully colored.

Another theme that Maximo Laura creates is that of sea creatures and seascapes. Although he was born and grew up in the Andes, for more than 30 years he has lived in Lima, developing a close relationship with the ocean and a deep belief regarding the importance of sea life with worries about global warming. Known as the Galapagos Collection, these tapestries include similar symbology to the other pieces – duality, the sun god, and the voice of the ocean. The ‘Praise to Fertility’ is a Peruvian tapestry that is colorful and bursting with life, showing the bountiful nature of the Galapagos Islands in synchronicity with traditional symbology and perfect to hang as a wall tapestry.

Music is an integral part of Andean culture that still exists today. Historical artifacts show that very early Peruvian cultures used music in everyday life, for entertainment and ritual, festivals and burials. Instruments included the guitar, the flute and the drums – and this pervasive aspect and the historical significance is reflected in Maestro Laura’s work, including the beautiful ‘Musicians at Harvest Feast’, a festival of the harvest reflected in the Autumn colors used, and the musicians who led the celebration.

Art in Peru and tapestry, in particular, can be traced back to 1000BC. With each age of Peruvian development, different artistic styles, materials and colors have developed – and each has a specific motif or theme that can be identified.

In the earliest examples, from the Chavin period, realistic depictions of humans and animals are interspersed with geometric patterns, chevrons and lines. These are faded due to their age, but the transformational supernatural beings and feline animal forms are still visible.

The Wari period is recognized by the use of more blue tones, and an abstract style that might have been a representation of shamanic drug-induced trances. Animals, plants and the Staff Deity are depicted regularly.

During the Chimu period, more natural colors were used, but the designs were still fantastical. Figures wearing headdresses may have denoted some form of ruling class, while intricate feathers and double-headed rainbow snakes spoke to important myths and rituals.

The Inca period might be the most well-known in Peruvian history, and it is certainly prolific in terms of textile art. For the Incans, textiles were the most prestigious form of art, which represented specific communities and was used as both an item to trade and as an offering. Checkerboard, repetitive designs were popular, and animals, birds and humans tended to be represented by abstract motifs.

In the Peruvian tapestries for sale by Maximo Laura, a delicate balance between traditional style and contemporary art is achieved – and this is due to the knowledge and talent of the artist himself and the Master Weavers that are specially chosen to complete commissions for our customers.

When you buy Peruvian tapestries online with us, you will be able to choose your perfect design. Mr. Laura often works in themes, incorporating myths and colors from every part of his heritage and the modern world for inspiration. After you have chosen a design and a size, your individual tapestry will be completed by a Master Weaver. These specially chosen weavers have a generational history and dedication to weaving and have been trained by Mr. Laura to his exacting standards. Each tapestry is completed by a single weaver, and although it can take 4-5 weeks to complete, you will receive regular updates including photographs from the loom.

Shipping is with DHL Express, so you know that when you buy a Peruvian tapestry or Peruvian textiles from Maximo Laura, you will get it quickly and safely, ready to hang in your home or office.