Alfredo Lopez Antay (Peruvian) Cajon de San Marcos Master Ayacucho Retablo
This exceptional Cajon de San Marcos is an original hand-crafted retablo created by renowned Ayacucho master artisan Alfredo Lopez Antay, grandson and artistic heir of the legendary Joaquin Lopez Antay, the pioneering master who transformed the traditional Cajon de San Marcos into the celebrated Ayacucho retablo. Executed in 2025 and signed and dated by the artist on the reverse, this remarkable work preserves one of Peru's most significant artistic traditions while presenting a composition that is entirely unique.
The architectural wooden shrine opens to reveal two meticulously modeled narrative scenes filled with dozens of individually sculpted and hand-painted figures. The upper register depicts a devotional gathering centered around Saint Mark, accompanied by saints, worshippers, ceremonial offerings, and symbolic animals, while the lower register presents an abundant pastoral world populated by livestock, villagers, and scenes of everyday Andean life. Every figure is individually modeled and painted by hand, creating extraordinary visual richness and depth.
The exterior is equally impressive, decorated with vibrant floral and geometric motifs executed in the traditional Ayacucho palette of crimson red, magenta, emerald green, violet, blue, yellow, and white. According to the artist, each Cajon de San Marcos is conceived as a unique work, making no two examples exactly alike. This individuality, together with its exceptional craftsmanship and direct connection to the Lopez Antay family legacy, makes the present work especially desirable for collectors of Latin American folk art.
Originally used as portable devotional shrines by Andean communities, Cajones de San Marcos evolved during the twentieth century into one of Peru's most celebrated artistic expressions. Today they are internationally recognized as masterpieces of Peruvian traditional art, admired for their narrative complexity, vibrant color, and profound cultural symbolism.
Works by the artist have previously been presented through auctions organized by the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI).
ARTIST
Alfredo Lopez Antay is one of Peru's leading contemporary retablo masters and the grandson of the legendary Joaquin Lopez Antay, founder of the modern Ayacucho retablo tradition. Trained from childhood by both his grandfather and his father, Mardonio Lopez Quispe, Alfredo has devoted more than five decades to preserving and expanding his family's artistic legacy through retablos, masks, imagineria, and traditional Andean sculpture. He has received numerous distinctions, including recognition from Peru's Ministry of Culture as Personalidad Meritoria de la Cultura and the prestigious Medalla Joaquin Lopez Antay in 2022.
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist in Peru for Gallery Arts & Auctions Co.
AUTHENTICITY
This work is an original creation by Alfredo Lopez Antay.
Signed and dated by the artist on the reverse.
A Certificate of Authenticity issued by the artist may be provided upon request, when available.
DIMENSIONS
Height: 14 1/2 in.
Width (doors fully open): 20 1/2 in.
Depth: 5 in.
COLLECTION NOTE
Carefully selected in Peru by Gallery Arts & Auctions Co. as part of its ongoing effort to present exceptional examples of museum-quality Peruvian folk art.
Condition
Excellent overall condition. Signed and dated by the artist on the reverse. No visible structural damage, repairs, or restorations. Beautifully preserved original polychrome decoration with finely sculpted figures and vibrant hand-painted surfaces, exhibiting only minor characteristics consistent with careful hand-crafted production.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
This exceptional Cajon de San Marcos is an original hand-crafted retablo created by renowned Ayacucho master artisan Alfredo Lopez Antay, grandson and artistic heir of the legendary Joaquin Lopez Antay, the pioneering master who transformed the traditional Cajon de San Marcos into the celebrated Ayacucho retablo. Executed in 2025 and signed and dated by the artist on the reverse, this remarkable work preserves one of Peru's most significant artistic traditions while presenting a composition that is entirely unique.
The architectural wooden shrine opens to reveal two meticulously modeled narrative scenes filled with dozens of individually sculpted and hand-painted figures. The upper register depicts a devotional gathering centered around Saint Mark, accompanied by saints, worshippers, ceremonial offerings, and symbolic animals, while the lower register presents an abundant pastoral world populated by livestock, villagers, and scenes of everyday Andean life. Every figure is individually modeled and painted by hand, creating extraordinary visual richness and depth.
The exterior is equally impressive, decorated with vibrant floral and geometric motifs executed in the traditional Ayacucho palette of crimson red, magenta, emerald green, violet, blue, yellow, and white. According to the artist, each Cajon de San Marcos is conceived as a unique work, making no two examples exactly alike. This individuality, together with its exceptional craftsmanship and direct connection to the Lopez Antay family legacy, makes the present work especially desirable for collectors of Latin American folk art.
Originally used as portable devotional shrines by Andean communities, Cajones de San Marcos evolved during the twentieth century into one of Peru's most celebrated artistic expressions. Today they are internationally recognized as masterpieces of Peruvian traditional art, admired for their narrative complexity, vibrant color, and profound cultural symbolism.
Works by the artist have previously been presented through auctions organized by the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI).
ARTIST
Alfredo Lopez Antay is one of Peru's leading contemporary retablo masters and the grandson of the legendary Joaquin Lopez Antay, founder of the modern Ayacucho retablo tradition. Trained from childhood by both his grandfather and his father, Mardonio Lopez Quispe, Alfredo has devoted more than five decades to preserving and expanding his family's artistic legacy through retablos, masks, imagineria, and traditional Andean sculpture. He has received numerous distinctions, including recognition from Peru's Ministry of Culture as Personalidad Meritoria de la Cultura and the prestigious Medalla Joaquin Lopez Antay in 2022.
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist in Peru for Gallery Arts & Auctions Co.
AUTHENTICITY
This work is an original creation by Alfredo Lopez Antay.
Signed and dated by the artist on the reverse.
A Certificate of Authenticity issued by the artist may be provided upon request, when available.
DIMENSIONS
Height: 14 1/2 in.
Width (doors fully open): 20 1/2 in.
Depth: 5 in.
COLLECTION NOTE
Carefully selected in Peru by Gallery Arts & Auctions Co. as part of its ongoing effort to present exceptional examples of museum-quality Peruvian folk art.
Condition
Excellent overall condition. Signed and dated by the artist on the reverse. No visible structural damage, repairs, or restorations. Beautifully preserved original polychrome decoration with finely sculpted figures and vibrant hand-painted surfaces, exhibiting only minor characteristics consistent with careful hand-crafted production.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
