owl carving

Flying above a piece of natural benalu wood, a flying owl is depicted in this charming sculpture from Bali. Yudi Suardi creates this sculpture, diligently carving this owl by hand from jempinis wood. The owl is detachable from the base.

The found benalu wood fragment will vary greatly in size, shape, and color.

With big, bright eyes and nocturnal vision, the owl sees everything that surrounds her. Suresh and Devender Garg presents the inquisitive bird carved from a single block of kadam wood in exquisite detail. The body is crafted in classic jali, or openwork, with a tiny owl inside the latticed body.

Sometimes called "parasite wood", benalu wood is a parasitic plant that feeds off the sap of a chinaberry host tree. Their unusual formations lend themselves to wonderful sculptures like this wide-eyed owl from Yudi Suardi. The artisan carves the sculpture by hand in beautiful detail. As natural, found wood pieces are used, please expect variations in the size and shape of the sculpture.

A quizzical owl gazes off into the distance from his perch in this intriguing sculpture from Bali's Yudi Suardi. Hand carved in natural jempinis wood, the detachable sculpture levitates on a base of benalu, or parasite wood, with a naturally flat bottom. Please note the base may vary in shape and size, as the artisan uses found benalu wood pieces to create this sculpture.

Painted in happy shades of spring green, sunrise orange, and violet, this charming owl figurine is sure to brighten up any room. Artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez handcraft the owl from copal wood, decorating it with the detailed motifs that give alebrijes their distinctive appearance.

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.

A handsome owl couple perches on a tree stump in this intriguing sculpture by Bali's Yudi Suardi. The two birds are hand-carved from natural jempinis wood, a skillful hand emphasizing the feathers and watchful eyes. The base is composed of a natural benalu wood fragment, so variation is to be expected, making this sculpture a unique work of art.

A swirling star design atop its head distinguishes this hand-painted alebrije owl from Oaxacan artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez. "We're an artisan family and we strive to improve our skills day by day....So we take on the challenge of creating innovative designs," states Jesus. The whimsical figurine is carved by hand from copal wood.

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.

Often believed to be a messenger in West Africa, the owl comes to life in this handsome sculpture. Anna Yawson carves the bird by hand of native sese wood and embellishes the image with embossed aluminum wings. Applications of white clay give the sculpture a vintage look.

Look alive: this wide-eyed snow owl just caught his dinner. Designed by Ira S. in Java, this charming statuette brings the outdoors to you. Indonesian artisans use local suar wood to hand carve the owl, placing the nocturnal bird on a madrecacao wood base.

Looking every bit the product of a fever dream that alebrijes are, this outlandishly-decorated owl sculpture is crafted by hand from copal wood by Mexican artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez. "Mastering the art of alebrijes requires practice, discipline and much love," says Jesus. "Roxana is expert at decorating the sculptures and her delicate hands convey beauty, from fine geometric patterns to flowers. Her designs are unique and elegantly detailed."

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.

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.

A wide-eyed owl turns his head to look directly at you as he peacefully perches on a log. An exquisitely carved work marks this wonderful figurine designed by the father and son duo of artisans Motilal and Ayush which is crafted from kadam wood in India.