In Peru, wood carvings begun with the arrival of the Spaniards, who brought pine and cedar from the Caribbean. During the Colony, this art was greatly developed and it manifested itself in the decoration of churches and convents. These places require a constant supply of retablos, pictures, statues and religious furniture. A prime example of this art is the pulpit in the church of San Blas (Cusco). This work masterpiece was carved out of a single block of wood and it shows the complex Braroque and Plateresco Spanish style.
Actually, one of the most important centers of production of wood articles is the village of Molinos (Junin), were carvings are made using aliso and chachacomo. These woods do not influence the taste of food when used in the manufacture of kitchen, utensils. Both woods are also used to manufacture furniture, ornamental animals, decorative pieces, dolls and toys, such as the one called equilibrista de brazos moviles (mobile puppets) and also the famous masks for the wakon dance.
Naturally, the jungle is a great source of wood products. The natives manufacture oars, canoes, blowguns, human figures and also ritual figures, such as the manguare, drum that is used to announce events and transcendental ceremonies.
In the ancient Peru, work on leather had a very important function. The most desired leather was the Royal Chinchilla. Unfortunately, this rodent was practically hunted to extinction by the conquerors and currently only chinchilla brevacaudata and chinchilla lanigera remain in existence. The chinchilla fur is one of the finest furs in the world.
Currently in Peru, the fur industry utilizes furs of Camelidos (alpaca, llama, vicuña, among others) and also from cow, sheep, deer, rabbit, weasel, fox and many more. The process of treating camelidos fur started in the 1920`s with the pionerring artisans from Sicuani (Puno).
From the sole leather, products such as belts, hand bags horse saddles are used. Leather sole products made in Arequipa are very famous.
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