oaxaca wood

Artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez of Mexico handcraft this charming coyote alebrije figurine. Painted in colorful shades such as turquoise and chartreuse, the copal wood coyote takes a howling pose. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

The alebrije tradition started with Mexico City papier mache artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he fell into a coma due to serious illness. While he was unconscious, he dreamed 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. Upon recovering, Linares recreated these figures in bright colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes. His work became famous and was one of the main influences of artisans in the state of Oaxaca who began crafting alebrijes of their own using traditional wood carving methods.

Whatever it is, this cat is ready to confront it! This fantastically colored animal figure is an alebrije, a sculpture style made famous in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. He is signed by creators Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda. The tail detaches for safe shipping.

In this slightly more modern interpretation of traditional alebrije folk art, a stretching turquoise cat is covered with stripes, dots and spirals. Artisans Pablo and Lucy Mendez of Oaxaca carve the sculpture by hand from copal wood and paint it in meticulous detail. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all ran at him, shouting "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache.

This little monkey just knows he will make a great gift, even if the receiver is the buyer! He is an alebrije, part of a folk art tradition that carves animals and paints them in bright colors and wild designs. This one is crafted by Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico.

"Look what I caught!" this cat seems to say. The playful feline is sculpted from copal wood, the classic for alebrije figures which are famous in the Central Valleys of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. This kitty with bristling natural fiber whiskers is the work of Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda, noted carvers in the region.

Inspired by the exquisite embroidered flowers adorning Oaxaca's traditional textiles, Mexican artisans Pablo and Lucy Mendez create a gorgeous copal wood ornament that captures the region's culture and festive aura in one colorful sphere. This time, the team uses a palette of turquoise and black hues to hand-paint each floral detail, allowing for a refreshing vibe. As the final touch, a lovely tassel and beads dance at the bottom of the design.

This captivating copal wood alebrije sculpture of a majestic bull is exquisitely crafted by skilled artisans, Zeny and Reyna. Its vibrant colors, including shades of blue and purple, breathe life into the intricately painted fish adorning the bull's back. This eye-catching piece not only embodies the rich tradition of Mexican folk art but also serves as a mesmerizing symbol of imagination and creativity, destined to become a cherished centerpiece in your home.

This black and turquoise mouse figure is a magical alebrije, an animal wood carving painted in fantastic colors. He is named after another fantasy creature, the Ratoncito Pérez, Mexico's answer to the tooth fairy. He is created and signed by artists Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico. The tail detaches for safe shipping.

Artisan Carlos Mendez in Mexico crafts this pretty box from copal wood and paints it by hand in the style of Oaxacan alebrije sculptures. The narrow box is just right for storing jewelry and other small treasures.