oaxaca folk art

"Look what I caught!" this cat seems to say. The playful feline is sculpted from copal wood, the classic for alebrije figures which are famous in the Central Valleys of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. This kitty with bristling natural fiber whiskers is the work of Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda, noted carvers in the region.

Blue Pouncing Cat Blue and Turquoise Whiskered Cat Alebrije from Oaxaca

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Crazy Monkey' - Handmade Animal Alebrije Figurine

Ready for monkey business, this colorful figurine is a fun addition to any space. Esteban Hernandez in Mexico works in the Oaxacan folk art style of alebrijes to create the small sculpture from copal wood and paint it by hand.

Crazy Monkey Handmade Animal Alebrije Figurine

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99

Pink Iguana Pink and Yellow Wood Iguana Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

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.

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Hummingbird's Delight Hand Painted cactus and Bird Alebrije Sculpture

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Pablo and Lucy Mendez in Mexico work in the traditional folk art called alebrijes to create this wonderful sculpture, which is hand carved from copal wood and painted in vivid detail. Frozen in mid-flight, a colorful hummingbird sates his hunger with a beautiful cactus flower. Please note that small parts are detached for safe shipping.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930s 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 the nonsense word, "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream in papier mache. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache. The same style of painting can also be found on other (non-animal) items.

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Stargazing Giraffe in Red Wood Hand Painted Giraffe Alebrije Finely Painted in Red

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

This baby giraffe has discovered the beauty of twinkling stars and can't get enough of them! This copal wood Oaxaca alebrije is the creation of artist Esteban Hernandez and features bright purple with green detailed hand painting. The tail and ears will be detached for shipping.

Any cat lover knows that felines love to be up in high places to better supervise the goings-on in their (not our) houses. This yellow/orange/gold-dominant multicolored wooden cat alebrije by Esteban Hernandez of Oaxaca is designed specifically to be displayed on the edge of a shelf, with one paw hanging down. The tail will be detached for shipping.

My Domain in Gold Blue and Gold Copal Wood Cat Alebrije from Oaxaca

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez of Mexico handcraft this charming coyote alebrije figurine. Painted in colorful shades such as cerulean and light olive, the copal wood coyote takes a howling pose. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

The alebrije tradition started with Mexico City papier mache artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he fell into a coma due to serious illness. While he was unconscious, he dreamed 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. Upon recovering, Linares recreated these figures in bright colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes. His work became famous and was one of the main influences of artisans in the state of Oaxaca who began crafting alebrijes of their own using traditional wood carving methods.

Coyote Charm Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije Coyote Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'My Domain' - Copal Wood Oaxaca Alebrije Cat in Multiple Bright Colors

Any cat lover knows that felines love to be up in high places to better supervise the goings-on in their (not our) houses. This brightly-colored wooden cat alebrije by Esteban Hernandez of Oaxaca is designed specifically to be displayed on the edge of a shelf, with one paw hanging down. The tail will be detached for shipping.

My Domain Copal Wood Oaxaca Alebrije Cat in Multiple Bright Colors

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

This mouse figure is a magical alebrije, an animal wood carving painted in fantastic colors. He is named after another Mexican fantasy creature, the Ratoncito Pérez, Mexico's answer to the tooth fairy. He is created and signed by artists Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico. The tail detaches for safe shipping.

Little Mouse Perez Blue and Red Mouse Alebrije with Black Tail from Oaxaca

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Pablo and Lucy Mendez are part of the Oaxaca wood alebrije tradition, which economically sustains the rural town of San Martin Tilcajete in the Central Valleys of this Mexican state. This version depicts a deer with sleek appendages and semi-natural coloring. The ears, antlers and tail detach to allow for shipping without breakage.

Running Grace Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete Oaxaca

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Alebrije sculpture, 'Oaxaca Snail' - Handcrafted Mexican Folk Art Alebrije Sculpture

Adorned with cheerful artistry, this purple and pink snail makes its way from the magical lands of Oaxaca. "The snail symbolizes life that starts and ends in a spiral," believe Zeny and Reyna. After carving the copal wood alebrije, they use the tip of a maguey leaf to paint the florid patterns.

Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

Oaxaca Snail Handcrafted Mexican Folk Art Alebrije Sculpture

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Alebrije sculpture, 'Blue Cat Greeting' - Mexican Alebrije Cat Sculpture

Blue Cat Greeting, Mexican Alebrije Cat Sculpture

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$84.99 Wholesale

$84.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Owl Delight' - Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije Owl Figurine from Mexico

Owl Delight, Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije Owl Figurine from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Turquoise Cat, Modern Turquoise Cat Alebrije Sculpture

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Wood figurine, 'Blue Dancing Frog' - Artisan Crafted Blue Wood Frog Figurine Sculpture

Blue Dancing Frog, Artisan Crafted Blue Wood Frog Figurine Sculpture

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

Alebrije sculpture, 'Green Hummingbird' - Green Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture Crafted by Hand

Green Hummingbird, Green Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture Crafted by Hand

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

Ceramic statuette, 'Lord of the Dead' - Ceramic Statuette Vessel Day of the Dead Mexico

Lord of the Dead, Ceramic Statuette Vessel Day of the Dead Mexico

Angel Ceron Artisan Association

(261)

Alebrije sculpture, 'Purple Hummingbird' - Oaxacan Hummingbird Sculpture

Purple Hummingbird, Oaxacan Hummingbird Sculpture

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$77.99 Wholesale

$77.99

Alebrije sculpture, 'Playful Blue Kitten' - Mexican Alebrije Cat Sculpture

Playful Blue Kitten, Mexican Alebrije Cat Sculpture

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$94.99 Wholesale

$94.99

Alebrije sculpture, 'Blue Hummingbird' - Blue Hummingbird Alebrije Hanging Sculpture from Mexico

Blue Hummingbird, Blue Hummingbird Alebrije Hanging Sculpture from Mexico

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$77.99 Wholesale

$77.99

Colorful Hummingbird, Multi Color Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture Crafted by Hand

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Perky Red Parrot' - Handmade Red Parrot Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Perky Red Parrot, Handmade Red Parrot Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$289.99 Wholesale

$289.99

Perky Green Parrot, Handmade Green Parrot Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$289.99 Wholesale

$289.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Dainty Deer in Grey' - Handcrafted Grey Deer Alebrije Sculpture

Dainty Deer in Grey, Handcrafted Grey Deer Alebrije Sculpture

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$74.99 Wholesale

$74.99

Flirty Hen, Hen Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Dainty Deer in Orange' - Hand Carved Alebrije Deer Figurine

Dainty Deer in Orange, Hand Carved Alebrije Deer Figurine

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Ocean Dolphin, Hand Painted Dolphin Alebrije

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Golden Fox, Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Colorful Macaw, Multicolored Hand Painted Pinewood Macaw Figurine

Rodrigo Ramos

Colorful Bunny, Multicolored Rabbit Alebrije Sculpture

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Orange Deer, Handcrafted Folk Art Alebrije Sculpture

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Diving Dolphin, Alebrije Dolphin Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Bold Goat' - Handmade Alebrije Goat Figurine

Bold Goat, Handmade Alebrije Goat Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Perky Blue Parrot, Handmade Blue Parrot Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$277.99 Wholesale

$277.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Zapotec Bunny' - Hand-Painted Rabbit Alebrije Figurine

Zapotec Bunny, Hand-Painted Rabbit Alebrije Figurine

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Wood alebrije statuette, 'Rainbow Snail' - Multicolored Wood Snail Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

Rainbow Snail, Multicolored Wood Snail Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$94.99 Wholesale

$94.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Crazy Cat' - Small Wood Alebrije Figurine

Crazy Cat, Small Wood Alebrije Figurine

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Fantastic Pegasus, Artisan Crafted Pegasus Alebrije

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

$84.99 Wholesale

$84.99

Smiling Deer, Handmade Deer Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Perky Armadillo' - Multicolored Armadillo Alebrije

Perky Armadillo, Multicolored Armadillo Alebrije

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Mountain Fox, Colorful Fox Alebrije Sculpture

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Oaxacan Bunny, Artisan Crafted Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Bold Deer, Hand Painted Deer Alebrije Sculpture

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Bicycle Cat, Hand Painted Alebrije Cat Figurine

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$117.99 Wholesale

$117.99

Relaxed Cat, Cat Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Zapotec Fish, 12-inch Hand Carved and Painted Alebrije Fish Sculpture

Manuel Cruz

(12)

$477.99 Wholesale

$477.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Stargazing Giraffe in Blue' - Wood Giraffe Alebrije Hand Painted in Blue and Ochre

Stargazing Giraffe in Blue, Wood Giraffe Alebrije Hand Painted in Blue and Ochre

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Wood sculpture, 'Hummingbird Visits a Cactus' - Hummingbird and Barrel Cactus Wood Sculpture From Oaxaca

Hummingbird Visits a Cactus, Hummingbird and Barrel Cactus Wood Sculpture From Oaxaca

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

My Domain in Blue, Copal Wood Cat Alebrije in Blue for Shelves from Oaxaca

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Fantasy Elephant, Colorful Handcrafted Trumpeting Elephant Wood Alebrije

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

$379.99 Wholesale

$379.99

Orange Turtle, Artisan Crafted Small Alebrije Sculpture

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Green Deer' - Handmade Copal Wood Alebrije

Green Deer, Handmade Copal Wood Alebrije

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Lilac Turtle' - Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije

Lilac Turtle, Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Bold Cimarron' - Hand-Carved Bighorn Sheep Alebrije

Bold Cimarron, Hand-Carved Bighorn Sheep Alebrije

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Acrobatic Dragon' - Colorful Hand Carved and Painted Dragon Alebrije Figurine

Acrobatic Dragon, Colorful Hand Carved and Painted Dragon Alebrije Figurine

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$67.99 Wholesale

$67.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Bold Monkey' - Multicolored Small Alebrije Figurine

Bold Monkey, Multicolored Small Alebrije Figurine

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Cautious Black and White Rhino, Black and White Rhinoceros Alebrije Wood Carving from Oaxaca

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$87.99 Wholesale

$87.99

Insomniac Lion, Purple Sleepy Lion Alebrije Carving with Detachable Tail

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Chirping Cricket, Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Red Dragonfly' - Handmade Dragonfly Alebrije Figurine in Red from Oaxaca

Red Dragonfly, Handmade Dragonfly Alebrije Figurine in Red from Oaxaca

Teresita Gonzalez

(44)

Enchanting Snake, Snake Wood Alebrije-Style Sculpture in White Grey and Black

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

Blue Tortoise, Wood Alebrije Tortoise Sculpture in Blue from Mexico

Teresita Gonzalez

(44)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Orange Quetzal, Multicolored Wooden Bird Alebrije Sculpture

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$77.99 Wholesale

$77.99

Azure Pegasus, Copal Wood Pegasus Alebrije from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$274.99 Wholesale

$274.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Festive Cat' - Multicolored Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine from Mexico

Walking Festive Cat, Multicolored Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine from Mexico

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Sun Force' - Orange Alebrije Bull with Multicolor Hand Painted Motifs

Sun Force, Orange Alebrije Bull with Multicolor Hand Painted Motifs

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$97.99 Wholesale

$97.99

Buffalo Dream, Handmade Copal Wood Alebrije Buffalo Sculpture from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$97.99 Wholesale

$97.99

Nocturnal Mystery, Handmade Owl with Ear Tufts Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Winged Song, Teal Alebrije Gazelle with Multicolor Hand Painted Motifs

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

Turtle Love, Mexican Hand Painted Wood Sea Turtle Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Black Fox, Wood Alebrije Fox Figurine in Black from Mexico

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99

Ancestral Image, Hand Carved Wood Skull Figurine in Yellow from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Oaxaca's Red Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in Red Hues

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Oaxaca's Night Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in Colorful Hues

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Oaxaca's Teal Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in a Teal Base Hue

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Oaxaca's Green Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in a Green Base Hue

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Wood ornament, 'Oaxaca's Colorful Spring' - Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in a Golden Base Hue

Coming back

Oaxaca's Colorful Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in a Golden Base Hue

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Oaxaca's Silver Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in a Silver Base Hue

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Oaxaca's Heavenly Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in a White Base Hue

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Wood ornament, 'Oaxaca's Turquoise Spring' - Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in Turquoise

Coming back

Oaxaca's Turquoise Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in Turquoise

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Oaxaca's Golden Spring, Hand-Painted Floral Copal Wood Ornament in a Golden

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Cricket Song, Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)