wood carving faces

Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association recreate a royal Maya mask adorned with an impressive headdress. The artisans craft the mask by hand from ceramic featuring a fearsome jaguar, or balam. A valiant Maya warrior and a feathered serpent complete the regal headdress.

Evoking beasts of ancient myths, this traditional alebrije sculpture from Mexico is created by Teresita Gonzalez. Hand-carved from copal wood, a majestic bull rears its head, featuring a hand-painted design with intricate motifs inspired by pre-Hispanic Nahua cultures. Curiously, the bull features a human face, complete with an elaborate mustache made from agave fibers. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

With paws outstretched, a quirk of her striped tail, and a sweet expression on her face, this curious cat alebrije wood figurine is certain to capture your heart. Handcrafted from copal wood by Mexican artisans Pablo and Lucy Mendez, the little cat is hand-painted chocolate brown with orange and gold accents. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

As alebrije artisans interpret the natural curves of each copal branch to help determine the final design, each alebrije sculpture can have unique variations.

With paws outstretched, a quirk of her striped tail, and a sweet expression on her face, this curious cat alebrije wood figurine is certain to capture your heart. Handcrafted from copal wood by Mexican artisans Pablo and Lucy Mendez, the little cat is hand-painted shades of green with black and gold accents. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

As alebrije artisans interpret the natural curves of each copal branch to help determine the final design, each alebrije sculpture can have unique variations.

With paws outstretched, a quirk of her striped tail, and a sweet expression on her face, this curious cat alebrije wood figurine is certain to capture your heart. Handcrafted from copal wood by Mexican artisans Pablo and Lucy Mendez, the little cat is hand-painted milk white with black and grey accents. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

As alebrije artisans interpret the natural curves of each copal branch to help determine the final design, each alebrije sculpture can have unique variations.

Handcrafted by Pablo and Lucy Mendez of Mexico, this magnificent Pegasus stands with wings spread, poised for flight. Using bright colors, the artisans paint the copal wood alebrije statuette with meticulous detail. 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.

A delightful piece of decor, this alebrije camel figurine is handcrafted by artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez of Mexico. The artisans paint the camel amber with intricate multicolored accents on the legs and face.

A delightful piece of decor, this alebrije camel figurine is handcrafted by artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez of Mexico. The team paints the camel in a stone grey hue, adding intricate multicolored accents on the legs and face and transforming it into a vibrant piece of art.