mexican carved wood animals

This beautiful alebrije figurine is from Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda in Mexico. They carve the sculpture by hand from copal wood, painting it in careful detail. Alebrijes are a traditional Oaxacan folk art, typically crafted from papier mache or wood.

This fantastical pink and yellow iguana alebrije from Oaxaca artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez seems unable to decide on a standard appearance, so it adopts several different facades. The sides look like they're covered in scales, a sky blue spine appears on the back and tail, and the legs have mottled yellow and red skin. Hand carved from copal wood, the iguana's decoration is done by hand.

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.

Hand-carved from copal wood, this enchanting Alebrije figurine captures the classic essence of Pedro Linares' art style in each hand-painted detail decorating its exquisite design. Mexican artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez work long hours on the piece, embellishing this stunning snake with a graceful palette of melon, purple and red hues.

This figurine that beckons your attention with its bewitching look embodies the enchanting allure of traditional Mexican folk art. Fashioned in the shape of a stunning sheep, this fabulous decorative accent is carved by hand from copal wood and painted in a palette of azure and carnation hues by artisans Alejandro and Rocio Jimenez, experts in the classic alebrije art.

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.

Inspired by the Mexican folk art form of alebrijes, Manuel Delfino in Guatemala creates this charming small figurine. The flamingo is carved by hand from pinewood and carefully hand painted in colorful detail.

Inspired by the Mexican folk art form of alebrijes, Manuel Delfino in Guatemala creates this sweet figurine. The artisan carves and paints the fish figurine by hand in colorful detail.