Cristian Tonino Alfaro Nunez (Peruvian) Birds,...

Updated August 22, 2026

This auction ended on August 30, 2026. See upcoming auctions from Gallery Arts & Auctions Co..

Lot number	224
Estimate	700.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Auction	International Fine Art & Original Peruvian Ceramics
Date	August 30, 2026 at 1:30 PM MDT
Auction house	Gallery Arts & Auctions Co.
Location	New Mexico, New Mexico

Butterflies and Floral Abundance Master Hand-Engraved Gourd Sculpture. This extraordinary Birds, Butterflies and Floral Abundance is a completely original hand-engraved gourd sculpture by internationally recognized Peruvian master artisan Cristian Tonino Alfaro Nunez. Created from a natural calabash and meticulously worked by hand, the piece transforms an organic fruit into a richly detailed visual world filled with birds, butterflies, flowers, and vegetal forms, celebrating the harmony and abundance of nature through one of Peru's most admired traditional art forms. The entire surface is covered with exceptionally fine burin work. Elegant birds appear perched, turning, and interacting among dense floral branches, while butterflies and ornamental foliage animate the composition with movement and rhythm. The imagery flows beautifully over the rounded body of the gourd, creating a continuous narrative surface that rewards close viewing from every angle. Particularly impressive is the refinement of the engraving technique. Through countless hand-incised lines, stippling, cross-hatching, and darkened contrasts, the artist achieves remarkable depth, tonal variation, and precision without losing the warmth of the natural gourd. Works of this complexity require great patience and control, often demanding many weeks or even months of sustained labor, as the design must be built gradually over the curved and delicate surface of the fruit. Beyond its decorative beauty, this work stands as a compelling example of the living tradition of mate burilado, in which storytelling, memory, nature, and technical mastery are united in a single object. With its elegant form, dense imagery, and museum-quality execution, this original sculpture is an important collector's piece suitable for a distinguished private collection, gallery, or refined interior display. Works by the artist have previously been presented through auctions organized by the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI). ARTIST Cristian Tonino Alfaro Nunez is a distinguished Peruvian master of mate burilado from Cochas Grande, Junin, one of the most important centers of traditional gourd engraving in Peru. He belongs to the renowned Alfaro Nunez family, whose members have preserved and elevated this ancestral art across generations. Recognized nationally and internationally, Alfaro Nunez has received important distinctions for his work and is admired for the extraordinary complexity, refinement, and originality of his engraved gourds. PROVENANCE Acquired directly from the artist in Peru for Gallery Arts & Auctions Co. AUTHENTICITY This work is a completely original and unique creation by Cristian Tonino Alfaro Nunez and was acquired directly from the artist. A Certificate of Authenticity issued by the artist may be provided upon request, when available. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUE Natural gourd individually selected, prepared, and meticulously

Cristian Tonino Alfaro Nunez (Peruvian) Birds,...

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