Owl Gourd Ornaments

These adorable, little owls would love to find a safe, comfy perch on your tree–or perhaps on your wall for year-round woodsy decor! Designed and hand-crafted by artists in Peru, our charming owl gourd ornaments bring a modern flair to a 4,000-year-old traditional carving and burning technique. Bring charm and wisdom to your home or give this lovely handcrafted owl gourd ornament to a special owl-lover.

Please note that this is not a set! You will receive one owl, and each is unique and varies in detail. The owls pictured are only samples of what you may receive. 

Gourds are vegetables related to pumpkins and squash, and they grow in a variety of shapes and sizes. After harvesting , peeling and sun-drying the gourds, the artist draws the design with a pencil. A skillful carver then carefully etches the fine lines with a simple hand chisel. Using a technique called pyrography, fire adds the rich shades of browns and blacks. Finally the outside is waxed and polished, presenting you with a one-of-a-kind piece to treasure for generations!

In Peru, storytelling through gourd carving has a long history. Archeologists found a gourd depicting deities over 4,000 years old. Today, in the tiny Andean village of Cochas almost everyone is a gourd artist, and fine gourd carving has been practiced for generations. Besides decorative purposes, gourds in Peru also serve as functional vessels for storing spices or serving food or chicha, a traditional corn beer.

Learn how these gourds are made