Retablos Palomino & Jiménez / Zuly Palomino Jimenez

Tribal affiliation: Ayacuchana Quechua

Country: Peru

How to purchase:
Website: https://www.retablopalominojimenez.com/
Instagram: Retablos Palomino Jimenez 

Facebook: RetablosPalominoJimenez
Email: cantutaperu8@gmail.com
Phone number: +51 960 297 548

Bio:

Cantuta Arte's work is a family tradition that has been passed down through generations. The founder, a grandfather, began this art form, and his descendants—his children and grandchildren—continue the craft today. The family specializes in creating retablo frames and ornaments, having learned and perfected the techniques in their workshop. From a young age, the current artisan assisted his grandfather in painting the pieces, learning the intricacies of color combinations, piece modeling, and the traditional use of colors for retablos.

The family works together to produce various pieces, with ideas for retablo themes often being contributed by the artisan. Throughout the years, they have had the privilege of showcasing their work at different events in Lima and exhibitions at the National Culture Museum of Lima. The family creates retablos, frames with mirrors, frames without doors, and a wide array of ornaments such as angels, mermaids, hearts, skeletons, masks, flowers, doves, and animals.

The materials used in their craft are sourced from local Peruvian plants, including wood from typical trees, potato flour for dough, and traditional paints, glue, and varnish. The process begins with preparing the dough, using chalk to strengthen it, and then shaping it by hand to form figures such as plants, animals, and people. The figures are then painted using native Andean colors, and the retablos are assembled. The background is painted by the artisan’s father, while the artisan paints the individual pieces, which are glued onto the retablo by the artisan’s mother. Lastly, a protective varnish is applied to the entire scene.

The family’s artisanal creations are known for their high quality, sustainability, and eco-friendly approach.

Cantuta Arte is dedicated to preserving and promoting the finest Peruvian crafts. The family not only works on their own pieces but also supports other artisan families and craftsmen who rely on this traditional lifestyle to sustain their livelihoods and provide for their families’ education and community development. Through their work, they help preserve Peruvian culture, passing down artistic knowledge from generation to generation. Cantuta Arte offers a range of products, including retablos, mirror retablo frames, Peruvian frames, textiles, cotton products, and a variety of indigenous items from the Amazon, the coast, and the Andes of Peru.