Handwoven elephant-shaped chuspata bag
Handwoven elephant-shaped chuspata bag
Handwoven elephant-shaped chuspata bag
Handwoven elephant-shaped chuspata bag
Handwoven elephant-shaped chuspata bag
Handwoven elephant-shaped chuspata bag

Handwoven Chuspata Elephant Bag

£40.00
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Handwoven Chuspata Elephant Bag – Michoacán, Mexico

Handwoven by Zeferino and his family in Puácuaro, Michoacán, this beautiful elephant bag is crafted from chuspata, a reed that grows along the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro. Known for its fresh, natural fragrance, the chuspata is harvested only once a year, often by elderly craftspeople who know the rhythms of the lake and its reeds.

Each strand is carefully dried in the sun, then moistened before weaving to give it the flexibility needed to shape the design. The force and precision required are remarkable: the weave must be tight and the pattern perfectly clean for the bag to be both durable and functional.

More than an object, each creation celebrates the imagination and skill of Michoacán’s artisans, transforming natural fibers into joyful forms that capture the spirit of their craft and community.

Handwoven Chuspata Elephant Bag – Michoacán, Mexico

Handwoven by Zeferino and his family in Puácuaro, Michoacán, this beautiful elephant bag is crafted from chuspata, a reed that grows along the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro. Known for its fresh, natural fragrance, the chuspata is harvested only once a year, often by elderly craftspeople who know the rhythms of the lake and its reeds.

Each strand is carefully dried in the sun, then moistened before weaving to give it the flexibility needed to shape the design. The force and precision required are remarkable: the weave must be tight and the pattern perfectly clean for the bag to be both durable and functional.

More than an object, each creation celebrates the imagination and skill of Michoacán’s artisans, transforming natural fibers into joyful forms that capture the spirit of their craft and community.

    • Keep away from water and damp storage

    • Avoid bending, crushing or squishing the shape

    • Store somewhere it won't get compressed

    • As a natural woven fibre, small strands may occasionally pull or show slightly, this is completely normal and part of the charm of a handmade natural piece

  • Standard UK delivery is £4.95 (48-hour tracked) — or free on orders over £50. Need it quicker? Express (24-hour tracked) is £8.95.

    See full Shipping & Returns for delivery estimates, tracking, customs info and our returns policy.

  • Changed your mind? Contact us within 7 days of receiving your order to arrange a return. Items must be unused, in original condition — return shipping is covered by the customer. Full details on our Shipping & Returns page.

The Story Behind It

Maker: Zeferino
Years practising: 30 years
Origin: Puácuaro, Michoacán, Mexico
Material: Chuspata (natural lake reed)
Technique: Hand-woven chuspata weaving
Time to make: Each piece takes 1 to 2 days to make.
Learned through: Zeferino learned his craft through family tradition, passed down within his community of Puácuaro. Thirty years on, weaving chuspata by hand remains his trade — every piece, like this bolsa elefante, carries three decades of skill.
A note from the maker:"These pieces are made by artisan hands — I hope you feel the true value of something handmade."