pretty sculpture

A playful hummingbird soars skyward in an alebrije sculpture designed to hang from the ceiling. 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 Caló gypsy word for "something difficult, tangled, confusing or fantastic."

Includes a thread for hanging.

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 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 lovely deer-shaped alebrije figurine crafted from copal wood encapsulates the mesmerizing beauty of Mexican folk art with its sheer brilliance. Alejandro and Rocio Jimenez carve and paint by hand this splendid decorative accent adorned with pretty motifs in a vibrant palette of crimson, green and purple hues.

Taking a walk, a nocturnal little cat brings the magnificence of Mexican folk art to your home. Zeny and Reyna hand-carve this alebrije figurine of copal wood, hand-painting the black cat with vibrantly colored intricate motifs. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

Alebrijes are a fairly recent Mexican art form, attributed to Pedro Linares. Unconscious due to illness in 1936, he was presumed near death and yet his dreams were extremely vivid. He tells of a place where all was peaceful and quiet until all of a sudden there appeared a lion with an eagle's head, a rooster with bull's horns and a donkey with butterfly wings. They kept screeching "alebrije, alebrije!" and Pedro began running away. He encountered a man who told him it was not yet his time to be there are and he should continue running towards the exit. In this dream Pedro climbed out of a window and regained consciousness.