car sculpture

A playful, excited cat makes a vibrant and fun addition to any home, handcrafted from copal wood and maguey plant fibers in the style of traditional alebrijes. Mexican couple Zeny and Reyna proudly paint this sculpture by hand, drawing inspiration from their cultural roots to cover the cat in bright floral motifs against a teal body. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

In this slightly more modern interpretation of traditional alebrije folk art, a stretching turquoise cat is covered with stripes, dots and spirals. Artisans Pablo and Lucy Mendez of Oaxaca carve the sculpture by hand from copal wood and paint it in meticulous detail. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

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 ran at him, shouting "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.

Done in abstract style, Abdul Aziz Mohamadu depicts a passionate couple and their child. The couple are represented from the torso up, with their arms linked so closely as to be inseparable. The figure of a child holds them up while seeming to swing from their joined hands. Abdul Aziz Mohamadu, who hand carves the statuette from local sese wood, names the carving after the Yoruba word for "first-born child."

This little monkey just knows he will make a great gift, even if the receiver is the buyer! He is an alebrije, part of a folk art tradition that carves animals and paints them in bright colors and wild designs. This one is crafted by Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico.

This stunning deer-shaped alebrije figurine crafted from copal wood encapsulates the mesmerizing beauty of Mexican folk art with its sheer majesty. Alejandro and Rocio Jimenez carve and paint by hand this splendid decorative accent adorned with pretty motifs in a serene palette of turquoise hues.

This charming alebrije sculpture is the original creation of Mexico's Pablo and Lucy Mendez. The perky chihuahua is carved by hand from copal wood before being painted in meticulous detail. Suns, stars, spirals and fretwork in blue, violets and turquoise shades cover the sculpture.

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 ran at him, shouting "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.

In the heart of Mexico’s artistic tradition, a mesmerizing wooden alebrije figurine takes shape. Carved by hand with meticulous precision from copal wood, this exquisite porcupine figurine features quills cleverly crafted from toothpicks, lending an imaginative charm to the alluring design. Hand-painted in a vibrant turquoise hue, the figurine radiates a captivating energy further accentuated by the tangerine and blue accents adorning its quills. With Zeny and Reyna's artistic mastery as its guiding force, this one-of-a-kind decorative accessory becomes a testament to the beauty and creativity of Mexican artisans.