ECUADOR SOUVENIRS
The following list gives a small review over the Ecuadorian market of popular art:
Jewelry
of black coral. But people are advised, because of ecological
reasons, not to buy the coral because it is in danger
of extinction.
Figurines and other stuff of Tagua, a „vegetable ivory“. Also balsa wood and religious kitsch.
Figurines of dough of bred.
Ceramic mugs, imitations of pre-Colombian figurines.
Main attraction is the traditional Saturday market with the Plaza de Ponchos in the center: Pullovers of lama wool, tapestries, blankets, jackets, ponchos, bags, hats, hammocks, jewelry, chess, bamboo flutes and a thousand of other useful things, as well as antiquity of all sorts.
Ceramic, ceremonial masks of wood, naive painting.
Shigras (Net bags of the fiber of the Chambira palm),
hammocks of nature fiber, colorful balsa wood birds,
ceramic bowls and seating furniture.
Some of the most exclusive handcraft shops of the country are in Quito. See below "Quito / Artesanía". Also: Weekend- picture market at the Park Ejído, Avenida Patria.
Figurines of Tagua and Shigras.
Carpets of sheep wool in Tibetan style.
SAN ANTONIO DE IBARRA (IMBABURA)
Wood carving in all sizes.
Wool hats, strengthened with corn, ponchos, “tupos” (brooches).
Naive indigenous paintings on sheep skin. The attractive, active colors represent mostly scenes of the everyday peasant lives. Some paintings do have a great artistic valor and a few artists became famous with this kind of painting.
