The town of Chulucanas, is located in northwest Peru, a long dusty ride from Lima. 
It is in that area that pre-Columbian vessels with a negative smoke resist technique were found in burial sites of the Vicus tribe. Unfortunately this technique had been lost over the centuries and at the time of the findings the potters in the area were making only terra cotta vessels.
In the late 1960's several local potters with the help of a few interested supporters in the area founded a group called, Sanoc Camayoc or Masters of Clay. The goal of this group was to rediscover the pre-
Columbian techniques that had been used by their ancestors in the area. Through many trials and errors they discovered the technique used to create the black on white and white on black patterns.
It is through this group's revival of the traditional techniques that Chulucanas pottery has achieved worldwide recognition. The form of each vase is built by hand-turning and using a wooden paddle and smooth stone, to thin and smooth the sides 
of the vessel. The vases are then painted with a base coat of clay and mineral oxides, burnished and fired. At this time the vases are repainted in the areas that the base color is to be retained. The vases are smoked twice with smoldering mango leaves. Any area that did not receive the second engobe application absorbs the smoke and turns a dark rich brown. The engobe is then washed off reveling the lighter color. Engobe is the slip (mixture of clay and other minerals) that they apply to the vase. Once the pieces have been fired, they are polished by rubbing them with a fine stone.
Because Chulucanas pottery is low-fired using traditional methods, the vases may “sweat” if directly filled with water. Therefore, we recommend that you do not put water directly in the vase. If you wish to place water in a vase, we suggest you place a glass or other suitable liner inside.
Due to the nature of these handicrafts, production is limited and exclusive.
View our Chulucanas pottery.
You may contact me is you have any questions alpacas@mountainash.org.