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About
Inspired by Peru's northern culture, artisan Jesus Rivas handcrafts a ceramic vase using the Chulucanas technique, dating back to the times of the ancient Vicús civilization. After a long process, the final result is a marvelous creation featuring traditional motifs of the region and a palette of warm tones, resembling the sunny afternoons of Piura.
Product details
- Ceramic
- Not watertight
- For decorative use only
- Signed by the artist
- Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
- 0.43 kgs
- 0.9 lbs
- 12 cm H x 11 cm W x 11 cm D
- 4.7" H x 4.3" W x 4.3" D
Meet the artist
"I find motivation in my wife's strength, her energy… I'm also motivated by our wonderful son and two beautiful daughters… I live with gratitude to life and to God."
"I was born in Peru's northern province of Piura. I'm a hardworking man, responsible and innovative. I'm always looking for new ways to give free rein to my imagination so I can apply these ideas in my art.
"From childhood on, I was always involved in any kind of artistic activity in school, such as dance and theater, I even formed a group we called the 'Laughter Squad' with friends who enjoyed stand-up comedy. We were famous in our village and we were even on a local TV channel. I was really young and I didn't have the slightest idea of what I'd do with my life. I just had fun making people laugh.
"When I was 17, a friend of mine worked in a Chulucanas ceramic workshop. I'd go there with him and help out for a few coins. I'd burnish the unfired pieces. I was only 16. I was young but I was very active and nothing stopped me. I've always worked.
"When I first began working, I always wanted a project of my own, to be my own boss. For a few years, I worked in a small grocery store but it definitely wasn't mine. However, it offered the opportunity to save some money and work toward achieving my dreams although, at the time, I wanted to become a police officer. I worked very hard to make as much money as possible.
"Then one day in 1991, I met a beautiful woman and fell in love with her. We married in 1992 and now have three children.
"When I found out I was going to be a father, things took a 360 degree turn. My ideas weren't clear yet but I knew that, as a father, I'd need to think more carefully. I knew I'd need to work soon at something of my own to provide well for my family.
"I remembered all the courses I took to learn ceramics. I understood a part of the process but not all of it. I consulted some artisans I knew but they didn't want to share their knowledge with me. I began researching and investigating on my own and am self taught in every sense of the word. I learned, I worked and saved money until I was able to craft my own tools.
"At first, my vases and sculptures didn't come out the way I'd hoped. I practiced a lot. I got clay and, with some simple tools and a blade, I began shaping some small samples. My wife polished the pieces to a sheen and made them look spectacular. I could see she always wanted to help me. She's my motivation to continue with this art I love. So I persevered and finished preparing a small lot of vases to show and sell in the neighborhood. This is how I got my start in this magical world of handicrafts and what could be better than to represent my home town, Chulucanas?
"Chulucanas, also known as Peru's Lemon Capital, is famous for its ceramics. It is located in the Department of Piura.
"Our ceramics have deep cultural roots that derive from the pre-Hispanic Tallan and Vicus cultures that arose in northern Peru around 500 A.D. The Vicus culture developed only a few miles from the city of Chulucanas.
"Some years ago, I went to a craft fair in Lima to show and sell my ceramics. I was staying in a hotel there when I had an accident. I slipped and fell in a bad position but I felt okay. A year later, I began feeling pain in my hips and couldn't even stand up. I saw a number of doctors and they told me the fall had cracked part of the bone and this resulted in complications. It was a really hard fall and I needed physical therapy and walked with great difficulty. Even so, I never stopped crafting my ceramics with the help of my wife and family.
"My family remains my greatest inspiration and we are growing together, facing new challenges with every obstacle along the way. I find motivation in my wife's strength, her energy. They are contagious. I'm also motivated by our wonderful son and two beautiful daughters who have made me their father. I live with gratitude to life and to God.
"One of my dreams is to expand my workshop and be able to export my ceramics. I want to have the capacity to continue innovating and to share all of this with my family. Together, we can represent Peruvian art to the world."
This item was handmade in The Andes by NOVICA artisan borrowers. Kiva lenders have helped these artisans stock up on materials, buy more tools and grow their businesses.
This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!
- Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
- Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.

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Return instructions
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This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
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We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
If an item is marked with a red bow, then it is guaranteed for delivery before Valentine's Day, and will arrive by end of day on February 14th if ordered today. This only applies to orders with a delivery address within the continental USA.