Peruvian Retablo Ayacucho — Flower Market Scene, Signed

This Ayacucho retablo — a hinged wooden box shrine rooted in the folk art tradition of Peru's highland workshops — opens to reveal a vibrant, three-dimensional flower market scene. Hand-modeled polychrome figures in traditional Andean dress work and trade among dense rows of calla lilies and wildflowers; a loaded burro stands at center while a vendor tends a stall beneath a miniature corrugated red roof. The interior backdrop is painted in layers of gold-ochre, earthy brown, and pale sky, giving the scene convincing depth.

The exterior and inner door panels carry bold hand-painted botanical folk designs — radiating sunflower rosettes, large palm-style leaves in deep teal and navy, and flame motifs — all on a warm natural wood ground framed in red. The reverse bears a hand-lettered signature reading "L.H.R. / Ayacucho / Perú" alongside a "Made in Perú" label, placing this squarely in the celebrated retablo tradition of Ayacucho, the Andean city considered the heartland of the form.

CONDITION

Good overall; the polychrome interior figures and painted surfaces retain strong, vivid color with no remarkable damage to the scene. Wear is present to the leather hinges, and finish loss appears on exterior wood surfaces consistent with age and handling.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall (closed): 10½" H × 12½" W × 3" D

Please Note: Soup for Scale in Photo