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Teodoro Melendez and Family

Teodoro Melendez and Family

5.0 (artist rating)

"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."
58 items

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

Aqua Harmony

Hand Crafted Amazonite Chip Stone Bracelet

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$34.99 $31.49

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

Nature's Wisdom

Handcrafted Amethyst Stretch Bracelet

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$29.99

Opal beaded dangle earrings, 'Dot and Dash' - Natural Andean Opal Earrings

Dot and Dash

Natural Andean Opal Earrings

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$29.99 $26.99

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

Cool Waves

Artisan Crafted Beaded Bracelet

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$79.99

Sodalite beaded pendant necklace, 'Infinite Ocean' - Sodalite and Sterling Silver Beaded Necklace from Peru

Infinite Ocean

Sodalite and Sterling Silver Beaded Necklace from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$159.99 $143.99

Sterling silver pendant necklace, 'Sun Allegory' - Peruvian Handcrafted Jewelry Sterling Silver Beaded Necklace

Sun Allegory

Peruvian Handcrafted Jewelry Sterling Silver Beaded...

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$129.99 $116.99

Garnet beaded bracelet, 'Gemstone Rhombi' - Natural Garnet Beaded Bracelet from Peru

Gemstone Rhombi

Natural Garnet Beaded Bracelet from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$54.99

Carnelian pendant necklace, 'Majestic Cradle' - Round Carnelian Pendant Necklace from Peru

Majestic Cradle

Round Carnelian Pendant Necklace from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$117.99

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

Stylish Teal

Opal and Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$77.99 $70.19

Lapis lazuli beaded bracelet, 'Deep Blues' - Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet From Peru

Deep Blues

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet From Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$107.99 $97.19

Tourmaline station necklace, 'Spaces' - Long Sterling Silver Station Necklace with Lilac Tourmaline

Spaces

Long Sterling Silver Station Necklace with Lilac Tourmaline

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$159.99 $143.99

Aventurine dangle earrings, 'Hope for Tomorrow' - Andes Silver and Aventurine Earrings

Hope for Tomorrow

Andes Silver and Aventurine Earrings

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$39.99

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

Radiant Glow

Dangle Earrings with Carnelian from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$57.99

Amethyst dangle earrings, 'Purple Please' - Handcrafted Amethyst Earrings from Peru

Purple Please

Handcrafted Amethyst Earrings from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$59.99

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

Warm and Cool

Beaded Bracelet with Orange Agate

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$74.99

Rhodochrosite beaded bracelet, 'Color of Romance' - Natural Rhodochrosite Bracelet

Color of Romance

Natural Rhodochrosite Bracelet

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$87.99

Amethyst beaded bracelet, 'Violet Orbs' - Amethyst and Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Peru

Violet Orbs

Amethyst and Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$69.99 $62.99

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Andean Owl Twins' - Owl Earrings in Sterling Silver from Peru Jewelry

Andean Owl Twin

Owl Earrings in Sterling Silver from Peru Jewelry

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$37.99 $34.19

Carnelian pendant necklace, 'Carnelian Heart' - Carnelian Beaded Pendant Necklace from Peru

Carnelian Heart

Carnelian Beaded Pendant Necklace from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$117.99

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

Delicate Earth

Silver and Lapis Earrings

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$44.99

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

Blue-Green Crescent Moon

Crescent Chrysocolla Pendant Necklace from...

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$134.99 $121.49

Amethyst waterfall necklace, 'Queen Beads' - Amethyst and Sterling Silver Waterfall Necklace from Peru

Queen Beads

Amethyst and Sterling Silver Waterfall Necklace from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$169.99 $135.99

Amethyst beaded dangle earrings, 'Plum Pretty' - Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Plum Pretty

Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dangle Earrings

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$34.99

Amethyst beaded bracelet, 'Enchanted Purple' - Purple Amethyst Beaded Bracelet from Peru

Enchanted Purple

Purple Amethyst Beaded Bracelet from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$89.99 $71.99

Chrysocolla pendant bracelet, 'Stunning Elegance' - Chrysocolla and Silver Pendant Bracelet from Peru

Stunning Elegance

Chrysocolla and Silver Pendant Bracelet from Peru

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$179.99 $170.99

Carnelian pendant necklace, 'Radiant Glow' - Beaded Carnelian Pendant Necklace

Radiant Glow

Beaded Carnelian Pendant Necklace

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$199.99 $179.99

Tourmaline pendant bracelet, 'Sweet Seafoam' - Green Tourmaline Beaded Pendant Bracelet

Sweet Seafoam

Green Tourmaline Beaded Pendant Bracelet

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$49.99 $44.99

Garnet chandelier earrings, 'Spiral Nebula' - Spiral Sterling Silver Earrings with Garnets

Spiral Nebula

Spiral Sterling Silver Earrings with Garnets

5.0
(Teodoro Melendez and Family)
$37.99

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