oaxaca wood

Pablo and Lucy Mendez in Mexico work in the traditional Oaxacan folk art form called alebrijes to create this marvelous sculpture. The delicate orange deer is carved by hand from copal wood and then painted in meticulous detail. Please note that small parts may be detached for secure shipping.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930s 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 the nonsense word, "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream in papier mache. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache. The same style of painting can also be found on other (non-animal) items.

Carved by hand from copal wood, this wonderful alebrije is from Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda in Mexico. The folk art form originated in Oaxaca but has become popular throughout the country and beyond. The deer statuette is meticulously painted by hand in orange and brown.

Hovering on whirring wings, a whimsical hummingbird seeks out the sweet nectar of flowers. Zeny and Reyna transform found pieces of copal wood into a delightful alebrije painted orange, red, yellow, green, white and black. These fanciful sculptures are a traditional folk art in Oaxaca, once based on twenty totems but today representing all kinds of animals. They take their name from a Caló gypsy word for "something difficult, tangled, confusing or fantastic."

Includes a thread for hanging.

Because each alebrije is individually created work of folk art, shapes will vary slightly. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

Vibrant pigments dance across sustainably-harvested copal wood in this remarkable alebrije-style owl figurine where ancient Oaxacan artistry meets modern ecological consciousness. The sculpture's surface blooms with traditional patterns meticulously hand-painted by artisans Eugenia and Roberto Sosa, whose commitment to preserving copal trees ensures only fallen branches become these magnificent works of art. Each decorative element carries deep cultural significance, transforming raw wood into a powerful symbol of Mexican artistic legacy.