hand carved birds

This lovely birdhouse will look spectacular in your garden. It is inspired by the birds themselves, as well as the aroma and the colors of wildflowers. It is hand-carved and hand-painted by Teodolinda Seguil from Peru.

Poised and ready to swoop in at the first sight of nectar is this inventively decorated hanging hummingbird alebrije from Mexican artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez of Oaxaca. Carved by hand from copal wood, the bird's red and purple body is adorned with small yellow blossoms. The removable wings and tail feathers are green and terracotta with yellow tips. The bird can be hung using the metal ring on its back. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

It is said that Oaxaca's alebrije tradition descends directly from Mexico City papier mache artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he became seriously ill and fell into a sort of coma. While he was unconscious, he had a most fantastic dream. He was caught between the land of the living and the dead; the place looked like a forest and was populated with creatures with body parts belonging to different animals. The beings repeatedly uttered the word alebrije, and when Linares woke up, he recreated these figures in vivid colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes . His work became famous and eventually influenced artisans in the state of Oaxaca who decided to craft alebrijes using traditional wood carving methods and according to that region's world vision.

African mythology relates birds to fertility and prosperity. Drawing inspiration from this ancient symbolism, Ghanaian artisans hand-carve a traditional African mask in brown and black tones. The top features a bird carving, adding a special meaning to the item.

Bali's Ayu Ary creates a gorgeous statement of freedom and passion in these dangle earrings. Made of hand-carved cow bone, the earrings boast detailed, hand-painted accents that imitate the elegant plumage of the region's birds. Natural garnet beads complete the design with crimson hues, whereas sterling silver hooks allow comfy use.

Ghana's Ali Ibrahim designs a stunning wall accent hand-carved from sese wood and beautifully adorned with embossed aluminum and brass accents. Painted by hand in black, brown and yellow hues, the exquisite accessory features a gorgeous floral motif surrounded by four exotic birds. Ibrahim calls it Kumbu after a word in the Hausa language.

Ghanaian artisan Winnie Mandela Koranteng works on a sese wood piece to capture a scene from the region's nature. With the sun in all its splendor, little birds spend the afternoon in a serene tree full of leaves that offer these charming creatures a comfortable home—a wall art engraved entirely by hand and painted in vibrant hues.