art pieces

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. 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 Calo gypsy word for "something difficult, tangled, confusing or fantastic."

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

This adorable key fob is hand crafted by Claudio Ojeda in Mexico. The panda alebrije is carved from copal wood and painted in black and white and myriad patterns and shapes in pink and purple. The wood figurine adorns a stainless steel key ring. The artisan signs his pieces with the initials "T.C.", which represent his initial "C" preceded by his mother Teresita's initial "T". Claudio learned the art of crafting alebrijes from his mother.

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 shouted "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.

Thailand's arts and magnificence decorate Pang and Ni's newest creation, made for those environments with a glamorous aura. Applying advanced woodworking techniques to a sturdy mango wood piece, the team handcrafts this round decorative box. After polishing the surface, their creative side emerges with an intricate pattern of classic motifs in a palette of red, blue and purple hues, topped with little beads tied to the lid with a waxed cotton cord.

Hand-painted purple mushrooms adorn a magical design inspired by forests and their natural essence. Balinese artisan Made Arsa uses gamal and jempinis wood pieces to create this enchanting wall sculpture depicting a charming scene that appears to come from a fairy tale. On top of that, the artwork comes with an aluminium hook that allows you to hang it easily.

Petite coconut shell pieces in purple and dark brown hues transform Sumalee Nawakul's newest design into an enchanting piece from Thailand's classic artistry. This three-strand necklace complements its magical grace with little leaf wood beads, allowing for a bohemian look.

Diverse queens in African history have left valuable lessons that today inspire the citizens of this stunning continent. Inspired by these memorable women, Ghanaian artisan Robert Aidoo-Taylor works with local wood to create this traditional African mask. The piece portrays Queen Nefertiti, the beautiful and wise ruler of Egypt, who guided her people after the death of her husband, the Pharaoh. Her elegant and clever spirit is captured by the artisan through purple and red hues.

This magnificent handcrafted bull alebrije figurine radiates captivating vibrancy and charm into any space. Jesus and Roxana Hernandez have expertly sculpted this whimsical accent from copal wood and lovingly hand-painted it with a dazzling array of purple, orange, green, blue, black and white hues in intricate motifs that energize the imagination. This delightful decorative piece pays heartfelt tribute to the revered handicrafts of Mexico through its meticulous construction and explosion of dynamic colours.

Putting his expertise and creativity to work, Ghanaian artisan Abdul Aziz Mohamadu crafts this African mask from sese wood, adding traditional details for a classic look. The artwork comes in a palette of purple, green and black hues, creating a vibrant look with a bird detail on the top symbolizing freedom. On top of that, the piece's title has a hidden message, as Melokuhle means “stand up for what is good” in the Zulu language.