Tagua Nuts

Описание: Tagua ("tah-gwa"), also called 'ivory nut' or 'vegetable ivory', are primarily the dried seedpod of the Tagua Palm tree (Phytelephas macrocarpa) which grows in tropical rainforests of South America. Tagua nut vegetable ivory is found in Colombia, Perú, Ecuador, Panamá, Brazil. The Tagua Nuts are Eco-friendly and handmade by a family of artisans in South America. Nuts dimensions vary due the natural irregular shape. A very special plant known as "tagua" (Phytelephas seemannii, Phytelephas macrocarpa) or vegetable ivory grows in the thick tropical rainforests of South America. This unattractive looking thorny palm has an average height of five to six meters and takes 15 years to begin to bear fruit. From then on, the plant yields three harvests per year. The tagua began to be exploited in colonial times when the Spanish settled on the American continent. Since the very first contact of the foreigners with the plant, the tagua nut was used for making buttons, umbrella and walking stick handles, napkin holders, combs, chess pieces, piano keys, letter openers, and other utensils. Centuries later, the invention of plastics did away with the popularity of tagua. And high quality items began to be made from animal ivory. The artists use this material for making all kinds of decorative items: bracelets, picture frames, letter openers, figurines, and accessories like earrings, necklaces, and bracelets that attract the attention of women from around the world.