Peruvian Gourd Art Footed Bowl

This is a decorative footed bowl handcrafted from a dried gourd, a traditional craft known as mate burilado commonly practiced in the central highlands of Peru. The piece features a shallow, wide basin with a warm, reddish-brown terracotta-colored exterior finish. The most striking element is the interior decoration, which is meticulously hand-carved and scorched with intricate geometric patterns. These patterns consist of dense, overlapping concentric semi-circles and circular motifs, creating a fan-like or scalloped repetitive texture. The dark brown to black contrast against the lighter background is achieved through fine-line engraving and pyrography. Each circle contains minute, rhythmic dash marks, showcasing high-level folk-art craftsmanship. The piece appears to be in good vintage condition with a light surface patina consistent with its age, likely dating from the late 20th century. No significant cracks or structural damage are visible in the photograph, though slight surface wear is expected for organic materials. The footed base provides stability and confirms its use as a display centerpiece rather than utilitarian kitchenware.

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