Description: You are bidding on a single 14 3/4" vintage Chulucanas vase from Peru. I bought this piece in Lima about 20 years ago - before this art form became popular the the artists signed their pieces. This piece is in mint condition. Because of it's size, the box for shipping needs to be bigger - thus more expensive. 

Here is the Wikipedia version of the manufacturing process. The main components of Chulucanas pottery are clay, sand, mango leaves & climate. For the elaboration of Chulucanas ceramics, the clay is extracted from certain quarries containing mainly yellow clay (arcilla amarilla) and black clay (arcilla negra). These particular types of clay contain divided particles that characterize not only their plasticity, but also their organic content of iron oxide and organic waste. Before completion, each ceramic piece undergoes a dozen steps. The artisans mold the raw clay with their hands and feet, then use wooden pallets and stone to shape it better. the first colors, derived from natural sources such as leaves and soil pigment are added. A wax base is added to achieve the negative design elements. Then the pieces are placed in  an oven and submerged fore hours in the smoke of burning mango leaves, which gives the pottery it's characteristic black color. To complete the piece, the ceramic is polished by hand with a black stone to give it a brilliant shine.

Shipping: I usually ship USPS and your box will arrive fully insured.