Description
Wedding Retablo – Two Brides Keepsake from Peru
Retablos originate from the Andean region of Peru, particularly from the long-established Ayacucho folk-art tradition. Historically, they began as portable altarpieces, small wooden shrines with opening doors used to house saints, protective figures, or sacred scenes. Over time, these evolved into narrative boxes portraying daily life, celebrations, rituals, and relationships, blending spiritual symbolism with storytelling. Today, retablos often reflect both ancestral traditions and contemporary life, allowing cultural expression to remain living and relevant.
Skeleton couples, often referred to as Novios, are commonly associated with Día de los Muertos and other ancestral remembrance practices. Rather than representing death alone, these figures symbolise love that continues beyond physical life. In this context, the two brides stand for commitment, equality, and the belief that bonds of love remain unbroken across worlds. Their presence speaks to unity, devotion, and the celebration of life alongside remembrance.
This retablo is handcrafted by Fair Trade artisans in Peru using traditional techniques. The figures are formed from a dough made with potato starch and mineral powders, then carefully hand-painted. Each piece is unique, carrying subtle variations that reflect the hand of its maker and the cultural lineage behind the work.
The Wedding Retablo – Two Brides may be placed on an altar to honour love, partnership, and ancestral connection. It is especially meaningful during periods of transition such as marriage, anniversaries, or remembrance rituals. It may also be used as a symbolic offering to ancestors, acknowledging love as a force that transcends time and form.
This piece is both decorative and devotional, holding space for joy, memory, protection, and the enduring power of love.
