Certificate of Authenticity
Every Inspired Peru piece ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, completed by hand by the artisan who made it. It records the artisan's name, community, material, and technique, connecting the finished piece to the person whose hands made it.
What's on Your Certificate
Each certificate records four details, completed by hand by the artisan who made the piece:
- Handmade by: the name of the artisan who made the piece
- From the Community of: the artisan's community in Peru
- Material: the material of the piece, such as alpaca
- Technique: the technique used to make it
Larger pieces, like our 12" and 16" stuffed animals, come with a book-style certificate. Smaller pieces, like our 6" llamas and alpacas, come with a single card. Both record the same four details.
Each Artisan Signs Their Own Work
Our pieces are made by 35+ indigenous Andean artisan families in Cusco, Puno, and other regions of the Peruvian Andes. The artisan who makes each piece fills in and signs its certificate by hand, connecting the finished work to the person who made it.
A Name Worth Looking For
Enrique, our founder's father, is a master artisan who still makes alpaca stuffed animals by hand. He signs the certificates for the pieces he makes. If your certificate says Enrique under "Handmade by," the piece was made by him.
Your Certificate and Your Artisan Story Card
Website orders also include an Artisan Story Card on an Inspired Peru postcard. The two serve different purposes:
- The Certificate of Authenticity records the artisan's name, community, material, and technique.
- The Artisan Story Card connects you with the people behind our work. Scan its QR code to meet our artisans, or follow its care link to look after your piece.
Who Stands Behind It
Founded in 2011, Inspired Peru is a 100% Peruvian-owned artisan business. In Peru, the business is owned by its artisans. In the United States, it is owned by our founder, Carlos Arias, who is himself a Peruvian artisan.
We don't source from artisan families. We are one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every piece come with a Certificate of Authenticity?
Yes. Every Inspired Peru piece ships with one, from small ornaments and bag charms to our largest stuffed animals.
What does the Certificate of Authenticity tell me?
It records the name of the artisan who made your piece, their community, the material, and the technique. The artisan who made the piece fills it in by hand, and it travels with that finished piece.
Who fills in the certificate?
The artisan who made your piece. Each artisan signs the certificates for the pieces they make.
What is the blank box at the bottom for?
Some of our pieces are sold in boutiques and museum shops. The box gives stores a place for their price label, so it never covers the certificate. On orders from our website, it stays blank.
Why does my certificate say "Peru Inspired"?
"Peru Inspired" is our earlier brand name. Some certificates still carry it while we transition to updated printing. It's the same company and the same artisan community.
What if I lose my certificate?
We can replace it. Contact us with your order details.
Meet our artisans → · How our stuffed animals are made → · Shop Peruvian gifts →