Handcrafted Brass Kuripe – Classic, Durable & Precise

This classic Brass Kuripe is crafted by skilled artisans in Peru and designed for durability, balance, and reliable Rapé application. Made from thick-wall solid brass and precisely silver-welded, this Kuripe is built to last a lifetime. Its surface is neatly polished to a warm, golden tone, with a natural shine that closely resembles gold, reflecting careful handwork and attention to detail, free from sanding marks or rough edges.

The design follows the most fundamental Kuripe form: a simple V-shape, with one tube slightly longer than the other. This asymmetry creates a natural and comfortable angle suitable for most users. The size and distance between the two ends can be considered ideal for the average face; however, users with a larger face may find the Kuripe slightly short. In such cases, the mouthpiece can be placed a little deeper between the lips, effectively extending the reach of the longer arm.

With an inner diameter of 8 mm, this Kuripe allows for a strong, direct blow without excessive resistance, making it well suited for experienced users while remaining accessible to beginners.

Weighing approximately 28 grams, the brass construction gives the Kuripe a solid, grounded feel in the hand. A small brass ring is welded to the tip, allowing it to be worn around the neck. A strong 2 mm black cotton cord is included, and both the Kuripe and cord are supplied in a small black velvet pouch for storage or travel.

Design & Practical Use

- Length: approximately 55 × 65 mm (short and long arm)
- Inner diameter: 8 mm
- Weight: approximately 28 gram
- Material: Thick-wall (1 mm) solid brass
- Silver-welded by hand
- Polished finish with warm golden sheen
- Brass ring welded to tip
- Strong black cotton cord included
- Packed in a black velvet pouch

Brass is exceptionally durable and easy to maintain. This Kuripe can be cleaned simply with hot water. Occasionally, clearing the inner V-section with a thin wooden stick or similar non-metal tool under running water can help remove compacted residue. After cleaning, the Kuripe should always be dried completely before use to prevent moisture retention and natural oxidation.

Each piece is handmade and may vary slightly in measurements. These small variations are intentional and reflect the artisan’s preference for creating individually crafted pieces rather than perfectly uniform, machine-like objects.

A strong, honest Kuripe in its most essential form — functional, resilient, and made to be used for decades.

Practical Advice

Since the Kuripe hangs upside down when worn, it is important to blow out any remaining Rapé after each session. Ideally, a session empties the Kuripe completely so all intended Rapé is applied. In practice, however, a small amount often remains in the inner V-corner, where residue can accumulate over time and may fall out when worn, leaving a fine powdery trace on clothing.

After prolonged use, gently tapping the Kuripe on a hard wooden surface (not stone) will usually release this compacted residue. This collected Rapé is often still perfectly usable and can amount to another proper dose. Clearing the Kuripe in this way helps maintain cleanliness, prevents powder from falling onto clothing, and ensures consistent application.

Note: A new production run is currently being developed in which the suspension ring is positioned on the inside of the longer arm, allowing the Kuripe to hang upright, with the V pointing downward. This orientation naturally reduces powder loss when worn.

To read a comprehensive article about Kuripe and Tepi, click here.

On a Potential Pure Silver Kuripe

A pure silver Kuripe is being considered as a future option alongside the brass version. This edition would follow the same fundamental form and proportions, while allowing the material itself to introduce a different weight, feel, and presence.

The silver version would be crafted by the same Peruvian artisans who produce the brass Kuripes. They have explicitly expressed interest in working with silver, preferring to stay close to familiar designs while adapting their techniques to a precious metal. Their intention is to preserve the established ergonomics and functionality, while allowing the material to define the final character of the piece.

All pricing indications at this stage are estimates only, based on current silver material costs, anticipated production responsibility, and the same level of workmanship as the brass version. Final pricing may vary depending on material availability, production specifics, and market conditions at the time of manufacture. Based on current calculations and a modest mark-up, the estimated retail price of a silver Kuripe weighing 35 gram would be approximately four times that of the brass version, excluding VAT where applicable.

Silver has long been valued for its purity, clarity, and reflective qualities. In ceremonial contexts it is often associated with subtle perception and precision. When used in tools related to Rapé, silver is traditionally regarded as a clean, neutral conduit that does not interfere with the character of the medicine. Esoterically, silver is linked to the lunar principle, supporting calm awareness, receptivity, and balance rather than force or intensity.

On a Potential 18-Carat Gold Kuripe

An 18-carat gold Kuripe is being explored as a highly limited, commission-only production. In fact, one will be produced for personal use and appreciation, and interested customers may request one or more pieces to be made on commission. Unlike the brass and potential silver versions, this Kuripe would be crafted in the Netherlands by a master goldsmith with over fifty years of experience, a close family relative.

The intention is to preserve the same fundamental Kuripe form while translating it into a precious and enduring material, conceived as both a functional ceremonial tool and a singular art object. Beyond its ceremonial role, a gold Kuripe also represents a way of holding tangible value in an object of purpose and lineage, rather than as ornament alone.

Each gold Kuripe would be produced entirely according to the customer’s individual requirements, including face type, preferred angle, length, and balance. As such, no two pieces would be identical. While the design remains rooted in the traditional V-shape, dimensions and proportions are refined to ensure proper fit, comfort, and function for the individual user.

Although 24-carat gold was initially considered for its purity, it was ultimately deemed too soft for long-term durability in a tool intended for repeated use. For this reason, 18-carat gold was selected, offering a balanced combination of strength, longevity, and precious metal content.

The Kuripe would be made using pre-manufactured 18-carat gold tubing, purchased as such rather than formed from raw bullion. As a result, the material cost exceeds a simple weight-based gold calculation. The goldsmith’s work itself forms a significant component of the overall cost, given the responsibility and precision required when working with precious metal.

Cost Consideration (Indicative)

All cost considerations related to an 18-carat gold Kuripe are speculative and based on rough estimates. Only once the first gold Kuripe has been completed will a fully realistic and final price be established.

Based on current pricing for solid 18-carat gold tubing, specialist goldsmith craftsmanship, and our modest commission margin, the estimated retail price of an 18-carat gold Kuripe weighing 50 gram would be approximately 155 times the price of the brass version, excluding VAT where applicable. For reference, this corresponds to a figure in the region of £6,800–£6,900, subject to final design choices, material availability, and gold price fluctuations.

This places the gold Kuripe firmly outside standard product ranges and into the category of bespoke ceremonial art objects, produced individually and only on request.

Commission Process & Conditions

Purchasing a gold Kuripe requires a personal visit to the shop, as well as a consultation with the goldsmith, during which measurements can be taken and preferences discussed in detail. Following this consultation, an advance payment via bank transfer can be arranged. A purchase agreement may be signed by both parties, outlining specifications, responsibilities, timelines, and conditions, upon which production will commence. Due to the value and personal nature of the piece, the finished Kuripe is intended to be collected in person. It will not be shipped by mail or courier unless the customer explicitly requests this and agrees in advance to full insurance coverage and full liability for transport.

Material Character

Gold has traditionally been associated with constancy, incorruptibility, and solar clarity. In ceremonial and esoteric traditions, it is linked to coherence, presence, and continuity rather than stimulation or force. When used in a Rapé tool, gold is valued as a stable, neutral medium, appreciated for its permanence and resistance to oxidation or degradation over time.

This gold Kuripe is not conceived as a luxury variant, but as a singular object of lineage and craft — the same essential form, realised in a material chosen for those who value continuity, durability, and generational workmanship.

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