elephant wood carving

Wood carvers in San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, crafted animal figurines for generations before the area's alebrije tradition took hold, mostly as children's toys. It's the gorgeous way even real animals are decorated that shows how the Oaxacan artisans have truly embraced the handicraft style. This hand carved copal wood elephant from Jesus and Roxana Hernandez is hand painted in green, with elaborate geometric motifs on its legs and ears in black combined with lovely purple, pink, and blue tones.

It is said that Oaxaca's alebrije tradition descends directly from Mexico City 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 creatures 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.

Marvel at the dazzling splendor of this alebrije masterpiece fashioned from copal wood and sculpted into an awe-inspiring elephant-shaped figurine. Mesmerizing with the vibrant allure of traditional Mexican folk art and embellished with hand-painted motifs, this decorative accent by Alejandro and Rocio Jimenez evokes a sense of enchantment and is sure to infuse your living space with a burst of color and warmth.

Radiating with the irresistible allure of Mexican folk art, this breathtaking elephant-shaped alebrije figurine crafted from copal wood will bring color, life and warmth to your space. Alejandro and Rocio Jimenez’s meticulous hand-carving and painting have birthed a stunning decorative accent adorned with captivating motifs that beckon you to lose yourself in a world of whimsy and wonder.

This beautiful and fanciful elephant figure is calling for a new home. He is an alebrije, a wood carving of an animal in wild colors made famous in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. He is created and signed by artisans Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda. The tail is detached for safe shipping.

This alebrije elephant has news to share. Eugenia and Roberto Sosa handcraft this trumpeting elephant from copal wood with vibrant colors and a variety of detailed motifs. They capture the energy of his big announcement with trunk raised to the sky and ears and tail held aloft. Alebrijes, a Mexican folk art popularized in Oaxaca, are detailed, colorful, and fantastical wood carvings.

The natural shape of the branch dictates the alebrije's finished form. Thus no two are ever identical, and each one is a unique example of Mexican folk art.

The tail is removed for shipping.

Alebrijes are often a hybrid of real animals, such as elephants and crocodiles, or they can be more fantastical creatures, such as dragons. Artisan Teresita Gonzalez of Xoxocotlan in the Mexican state of Oaxaca creates an elaborately hand carved copal wood alebrije dragonfly, or libelula. The insect is beautifully painted in bold red with accents of black, blue and yellow. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

It is said that Oaxaca's alebrije tradition descends directly from Mexico City 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.