The tradition of making retablos was brought to Peru by the Spanish during the conquest.
In Europe, similar wooden tripthyc or Santero boxes had been used for centuries as mobile altars for travelers. In the Andes, merchants followed the tradition and carried them during their solitary travels through the mountains as protection from the harsh environment. Catholic priests also used them to convert the locals to Christianity. In this way Retablos were soon incorporated into the Andean culture and commonly used in celebrations.

With the arrival of modern transportation and roads, the use of “Santero Boxes” was almost extinct. Fortunately in the 1940s, master retablo artists, most notably the Lopez Antay and Jimenez families from Ayacucho, rescued this vibrant folk art for future generations.

Retablo artists use simple wood tools and a plaster made with potato starch, to bring colorful, hand-shaped figurines to life. Full scenes are arranged inside painted wooden boxes with hinged doors and usually one or more shelves displaying religious and every day life scenes.

Today a new group of young retablo artists is emerging. Luis Huamanay and his wife Julia learned their art from their uncles Claudio & Nicario Jimenez. They enjoy recreating biblical scenes as well as representations of their Andean way of life and mystic beliefs. Lucuma Designs is proud to support these new artists by helping them evolve in their art and keeping this colorful tradition alive.