Large Tepí with Shipibo Glass Bead Decoration

Large Tepí from Peru – Chonta Wood with Shipibo Beadwork

This large tepí from Peru is an artistically crafted, ceremonial blowpipe for the traditional use of rapé by a second person. With a total length of approx. 40 cm, it is one of the larger and more powerful tepí forms and is particularly suitable for experienced practitioners and ceremonial leaders.

Handmade from chonta wood

The shaft and mouthpieces are made of chonta wood, a dense, dark palm wood from the Amazon region. Chonta is prized in various indigenous traditions for ceremonial objects and is characterized by its hardness, depth and natural grain. Each piece thus has its own structure and charisma.

Fine Shipibo Beadwork

The shaft is decorated with intricate glass bead work in the Shipibo style . The geometric patterns are reminiscent of the traditional imagery of the Shipibo-Konibo from the Peruvian Amazon. They stand for order, connection and the fine lines between nature, sound and spiritual perception.

Depending on the variant, the Tepí shows different colour combinations and patterns – from strong red, blue and turquoise tones to warm yellow, green and orange nuances. Beadwork can include floral, wavy or geometric elements, making each execution a craft in its own right.

Four individual variants

This Tepí is available in four different variants . The shape and size remain similar, while the pattern, coloring, and small details of the beadwork differ. The tepís shown show examples of possible executions.

Since each piece is made by hand, each Tepí is an individual one-of-a-kind. Small differences in length, shape, bead arrangement, color, and wood grain are natural features of traditional handicraft.

Use

The tepí is used to pass rapé from one person to another. Due to its size and shape, it allows for clear, direct and powerful application. It is particularly suitable for people with experience in ceremonial work with rapé.