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Teodoro Melendez and Family

Teodoro Melendez and Family

5.0

"One of my most cherished moment was when I had a small workshop and my children, Carlos and Alicia, where with me while I was cutting gems by hand."

"I was born in 1924 in Trujillo, known as the 'city of eternal spring.' None of my parents were artisans, in fact dad... was an archaeologist and mom a homemaker. However my artistic formation came from my dad during his work as an archaeologist in pre-Hispanic sites, and later as the curator of a museum. That's when I became inspired to craft jewelry with designs and motifs unique to ancient Peru. It has been my passion and my life ever since then.

"It all actually began as a hobby, but with the passing of time it became something more serious for me, especially after reading the books by Julio C. Tello. I learned so much from them about my country's history and the different cultures that once made part of it. I mainly take my inspiration from these books to design my jewelry and select the gemstones that are a better for them.

"One of my most cherished moments was when I had a small workshop and my children, Carlos and Alicia, were with me while I was cutting gems by hand. Then we put them through a little machine to perfect the contours. Mine was a small workshop and we could not afford the larger, pricier machines.

"In my free time I enjoy swimming, soccer and basketball. I would describe my work as having a strong pre-Hispanic essence that is allowed to be sold outside of Peru. Reason being that the original pieces are obviously considered patrimony of the state and their sale is banned. That's why I love the idea that foreigners can get to share part of our history through my designs, where I try to replicate both metals and gems.

"Through my collections I try to convey the value of our cultures, and I think people will appreciate the work. It includes hammering, stamping, chisel work and melting – techniques we've been using for quite a while now, just like the Peruvian silversmiths of yore. I've exhibited my work in museums and galleries in Lima.

"The biggest challenge I have faced is starting from zero, without the support of either the banks or other financial institutions. Little by little, we've grown since then and have become a sustainable family enterprise.

"I would like to say that each of my designs represents a lifetime of dedication to the promotion of pre-Hispanic art for the newer generations to appreciate."
28 items

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Luminous Sentries' - Double Disk Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Peru

Luminous Sentries, Double Disk Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$79.00

Amethyst dangle earrings, 'Andean Emotion' - Dangle Earrings in Sterling Silver with Two Amethyst Beads

Andean Emotion, Dangle Earrings in Sterling Silver with Two Amethyst Beads

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$27.00

Tiger's eye beaded bracelet, 'Earthen Sophistication' - Tiger's Eye Beaded Bracelet Crafted in Peru

Earthen Sophistication, Tiger's Eye Beaded Bracelet Crafted in Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$59.00

Reconstituted turquoise beaded bracelet, 'Cool Waves' - Artisan Crafted Beaded Bracelet

Cool Waves, Artisan Crafted Beaded Bracelet

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$84.00

Sterling silver link bracelet, 'Divine Heart' - Religious Sterling Silver Heart Link Bracelet from Peru

Divine Heart, Religious Sterling Silver Heart Link Bracelet from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$59.00

Amazonite beaded dangle earrings, 'Aqua Harmony' - Amazonite Beaded Dangle Earrings Crafted in Peru

Aqua Harmony, Amazonite Beaded Dangle Earrings Crafted in Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$19.00

Chrysocolla pendant necklace, 'Blue-Green Crescent Moon' - Crescent Chrysocolla Pendant Necklace from Peru

Blue-Green Crescent Moon, Crescent Chrysocolla Pendant Necklace from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$119.00

Sterling silver and aventurine flower earrings, 'Dewdrop Blooms' - Sterling Silver Earrings With Aventurine Peru Flower Jewelry

Dewdrop Blooms, Sterling Silver Earrings With Aventurine Peru Flower Jewelry

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$77.00

Opal dangle earrings, 'Pyramids of Truth' - Sterling Silver and Natural Opal Dangle Earrings

Pyramids of Truth, Sterling Silver and Natural Opal Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$37.00

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Eternal Moonlight' - Polished Sterling Silver Handcrafted Dangle Earrings

Eternal Moonlight, Polished Sterling Silver Handcrafted Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$25.00

Agate and sterling silver beaded bracelet, 'Warm and Cool' - Beaded Bracelet with Orange Agate

Warm and Cool, Beaded Bracelet with Orange Agate

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$77.00

Rose quartz dangle earrings, 'Loving Moonlight' - Polished Sterling Silver and Rose Quartz Dangle Earrings

Loving Moonlight, Polished Sterling Silver and Rose Quartz Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$39.00

Carnelian dangle earrings, 'Radiant Glow' - Dangle Earrings with Carnelian from Peru

Radiant Glow, Dangle Earrings with Carnelian from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$59.00

Garnet beaded bracelet, 'Gemstone Rhombi' - Peruvian Artisan-Made Natural Rhombus Garnet Beaded Bracelet

Gemstone Rhombi, Peruvian Artisan-Made Natural Rhombus Garnet Beaded Bracelet

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$54.00

Sodalite chandelier earrings, 'Blue Curls' - Sodalite and Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings from Peru

Blue Curls, Sodalite and Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$29.00

Opal beaded bracelet, 'Stylish Teal' - Opal and Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Peru

Stylish Teal, Opal and Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$79.00

Amethyst dangle earrings, 'Wise Moonlight' - High-Polished Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Wise Moonlight, High-Polished Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$39.00

Amethyst stretch bracelet, 'Nature's Wisdom' - Handcrafted Amethyst Stretch Bracelet

Nature's Wisdom, Handcrafted Amethyst Stretch Bracelet

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$29.00

Sterling silver beaded dangle earrings, 'Peruvian Pebbles' - Sterling Silver and Reconstituted Turquoise Dangle Earrings

Peruvian Pebbles, Sterling Silver and Reconstituted Turquoise Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$25.00

Aventurine beaded bracelet, 'Luck by Chance' - Artisan Crafted Aventurine Beaded Bracelet With Silver

Luck by Chance, Artisan Crafted Aventurine Beaded Bracelet With Silver

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$99.00

Sodalite chandelier earrings, 'Queen of the Inca' - Sterling Silver and Sodalite Dangle Earrings

Queen of the Inca, Sterling Silver and Sodalite Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$57.00

Sterling silver pendant necklace, 'Llama Medallion' - Llama-Themed Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace from Peru

Llama Medallion, Llama-Themed Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$109.00

Amazonite dangle earrings, 'Lucky Moonlight' - High-Polished Sterling Silver and Amazonite Dangle Earrings

Lucky Moonlight, High-Polished Sterling Silver and Amazonite Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$39.00

Sodalite stretch bracelet, 'Nature's Harmony' - Sodalite stretch bracelet

Nature's Harmony, Sodalite stretch bracelet

5.0
$23.00

Lapis lazuli dangle earrings, 'Modern Moche' - Silver and Lapis Earrings

Delicate Earth, Silver and Lapis Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$37.00

Sodalite beaded earrings, 'Nature's Harmony' - Peruvian Handcrafted Beaded Dangle Earrings

Natural Harmonics, Peruvian Handcrafted Beaded Dangle Earrings

3.0
$23.00

Sterling silver and lapis lazuli dangle earrings, 'Heavenly Glamour' - Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Peru

Heavenly Glamour, Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$49.00

Amazonite beaded stretch bracelet, 'Aqua Harmony' - Hand Crafted Amazonite Chip Stone Bracelet

Aqua Harmony, Hand Crafted Amazonite Chip Stone Bracelet

Teodoro Melendez and Family
5.0
$29.00

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