Whether it’s a hand-carved jade gemstone from China or a Mexican huipil, we’ve all taken home a piece of our travels to share with our friends. Textile designer Madeline Weinrib took that common ritual one step further and decided to bring a Cartagena design destination back to her New York City showroom, as a way to pass on a piece of Colombian culture to the city’s inhabitants.

An explorer at heart, Weinrib often finds herself in far-flung locations across the globe. And nearly a decade ago, her travels took her to Cartagena, where she stumbled upon Casa Chiqui, a boutique sought out by well-heeled New York socialites, like Lauren Santo Domingo, and European aristocrats. Weinrib and the shop’s owner, Chiqui de Echavarría, instantly made a connection. “I was invited to dinner at Chiqui’s home for New Year’s Eve,” says Weinrib. “When I stepped inside, I saw these amazing Colombian baskets that she also has in her shop, but they looked even more beautiful in her home. The idea for a pop-up in my studio in New York came to me right then and there.”

The baskets in question are constructed from palm fiber that’s handwoven by local men and women of the indigenous Noanama tribe in the Chocan Jungle. Once the palm dries, the tribe paints figures that depict their daily lives in the form of animals, houses, and people directly onto the fiber. Depending on the level of intricacy and size, a single design can take up to six months to finish.

“When I first opened my store, I had so many pieces from Mexico, Thailand, and India, but tourists would ask for items unique to Colombia,” says de Echavarría. “As I began to rediscover my country I came across Werregue, a traditional, centuries-old process specific to my country. These baskets represent our beliefs, culture, and the different tribes that make up the land.”

While the baskets’ original purpose was to carry water from the river to the home, today de Echavarría places them in the corner of her living room or atop tables, displaying the designs similarly to how a gallery would feature artwork. “There’s a story behind every detail,” she says. “They are true pieces of art.”

The baskets are available at Madeline Weinrib’s New York showroom and online at madelineweinrib.com until Labor Day. Prices range from $1,500 to $3,900.

Madeline Weinrib’s New York showroom, which this summer will play host to Casa Chiqui, a beloved Cartagena boutique.

Chiqui de Echavarría and Madeline Weinrib at Weinrib's Manhattan showroom.

The baskets, once used to carry water, are great for storage or decoration.