oaxaca painted wood animals

In the 1930s in Oaxaca, Mexico, an artist named Pedro Linares fell ill. In his fevered dreams, he saw fantastical creatures--a lion with the head of a bird; a rooster with bull's horns. The colorful animals all rushed toward him shouting the nonsense word, "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon awakening, he felt compelled to recreate his vision, and the art form of alebrijes was born. Eugenia and Roberto Sosa uphold the artistic tradition with this excellent coyote sculpture. Carved from copal wood, the statuette is painted by hand in brilliant detail.

Bold Coyote Oaxacan Wood Alebrije Statuette

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Insomniac Lion Purple Sleepy Lion Alebrije Carving with Detachable Tail

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

No matter what the song says, this lion cannot sleep until he gets a good home. He is an alebrije, an animal carving painted in bright colors and wild designs. The big jungle cat is created and signed by artists Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico. The tail detaches for safe shipping.

Working in the traditional Oaxacan folk art form called alebrijes, Pablo and Lucy Mendez in Mexico create this marvelous sculpture. The delicate deer is carved by hand from copal wood and then painted in meticulous detail. Please note that small parts may be detached for secure 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.

Dainty Deer in Grey Handcrafted Grey Deer Alebrije Sculpture

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

These happy-footed penguins have put on their party clothes for the weekend. The two copal wood figures are alebrijes, a tradition of painting hand-carved animal figures in bright colors and wild designs. These two were created and signed by Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico. The wings detach for safe shipping.

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Happy Emperor Penguins' (pair) - Black and White Penguin Alebrije Figures from Oaxaca (Pair)

Happy Emperor Penguins Black and White Penguin Alebrije Figures from Oaxaca (Pair)

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Little Blue Deer' - Blue Copal Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete

Staring curiously, but ready to spring at the slightest sound, this blue deer alebrije is by Pablo and Lucy Mendez, from the famous alebrije town of San Martin Tilcajete in Oaxaca. This figure is carved from copal wood, native to the area, and painted brightly as is typical for the town. The ears, antlers and tail detach for storage and shipping.

Little Blue Deer Blue Copal Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

You caught this fellow while he was on his way to the watering hole! He is an alebrije, a animal wood carving painted in bright colors and wild designs. This rhino was created and signed by Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Cautious Amber Rhino Yellow Orange Dominant Rhinoceros Alebrije Sculpture

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$87.99 Wholesale

$87.99

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

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

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.

"Whoooo am I?" says this little owl. He needs a name, and you can give it to him. He is an alebrije, part of a folk art tradition that carves animals from copal wood, then paints them in fantastic colors and designs. This wise little bird is created and signed by artists Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Blue Winged Owl Hand Carved Owl Alebrije with Blue Wings from Oaxaca

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

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)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Speak No Evil' - Wood Alebrije Carving of Multicolored Monkey from Oaxaca

I don't know what this monkey is thinking, but I bet his mother taught him to be discreet. This sculpture is an example of a Oaxacan alebrije, a copal wood carving hand-painted in various bright colors and intricate patterns. This monkey is the work of Jesus and Roxana Hernandez, noted alebrije carvers whose work has won awards and media attention. The slender tail is removed for shipping.

Speak No Evil Wood Alebrije Carving of Multicolored Monkey from Oaxaca

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

From Oaxaca's Jesus and Roxana Hernandez comes this imaginatively decorated armadillo alebrije which makes a whimsical addition to a home desk, curio cabinet or side table. Mexican artisans carve the figurine by hand from copal wood; it is then painted by hand in an incredible variety of colors and patterns in both vertical and horizontal bands. Even the animal's removable tail is covered with several unique designs. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

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.

Kaleidoscopic Armadillo Hand Carved Copal Wood Multicolored Armadillo Alebrije

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Magical Rabbit, Copal Wood Rabbit Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

Manuel Cruz

(12)

$117.99 Wholesale

$117.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Running Grace' - Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete Oaxaca

Running Grace, Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete Oaxaca

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Coyote Delight' - Handcrafted Copal Wood Coyote Alebrije Figurine

Coyote Delight, Handcrafted Copal Wood Coyote Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Monkey in Chaos' - Wood Monkey Alebrije Figure Hiding His Eyes From Oaxaca

Monkey in Chaos, Wood Monkey Alebrije Figure Hiding His Eyes From Oaxaca

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Perky Red Parrot, Handmade Red Parrot Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$289.99 Wholesale

$289.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Mythical Pegasus' - Hand Painted Pegasus Alebrije Sculpture

Mythical Pegasus, Hand Painted Pegasus Alebrije Sculpture

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Dainty Deer in Orange, Hand Carved Alebrije Deer Figurine

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Mossy Monkey, Handmade Turquoise Monkey Alebrije Figure from Oaxaca

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99

Ocean Dolphin, Hand Painted Dolphin Alebrije

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Coyote Charm' - Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije Coyote Figurine

Coyote Charm, Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije Coyote Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Blue Pouncing Cat, Blue and Turquoise Whiskered Cat Alebrije from Oaxaca

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Wood alebrije ornaments, 'Walking Fish' (set of 4) - Hand Painted Fish Alebrije Ornaments (Set of 4)

Walking Fish, Hand Painted Fish Alebrije Ornaments (Set of 4)

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Blue Goat' - Artisan Crafted Goat Alebrije

Blue Goat, Artisan Crafted Goat Alebrije

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

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

Blue Axolotl, Handmade Copal Wood Axolotl Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$84.99 Wholesale

$84.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Nocturnal Mystery' - Handmade Owl with Ear Tufts Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

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

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Mountain Fox, Colorful Fox Alebrije Sculpture

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

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

Perky Blue Parrot, Handmade Blue Parrot Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$277.99 Wholesale

$277.99

Pink Iguana, Pink and Yellow Wood Iguana Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Black Fox' - Wood Alebrije Fox Figurine in Black from Mexico

Black Fox, Wood Alebrije Fox Figurine in Black from Mexico

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99

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

Diving Dolphin, Alebrije Dolphin Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Bicycle Cat, Hand Painted Alebrije Cat Figurine

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$117.99 Wholesale

$117.99

Winged Song, Teal Alebrije Gazelle with Multicolor Hand Painted Motifs

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

Wild Wolf, Hand Painted Wood Wolf Alebrije

Claudio Ojeda

(99)

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Audacious Hen' - Handmade Hen Alebrije Sculpture

Audacious Hen, Handmade Hen Alebrije Sculpture

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Relaxed Cat, Cat Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Dream Owl, Mexican Hand Decorated Copal Wood Owl Alebrije Sculpture

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99

Night Fantasy, Wood Owl Sculpture with Hand Painted Star Design from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Mexican Hairless Dog in Red' - Orange Copal Wood Mexican Hairless Dog Alebrije Figurine

Mexican Hairless Dog in Red, Orange Copal Wood Mexican Hairless Dog Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$117.99 Wholesale

$117.99

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

Reading Flamingo, Hand-Painted Pink Flamingo Copal Wood Bookmark from Oaxaca

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99

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

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$87.99 Wholesale

$87.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Little Black Mouse Perez' - Turquoise and Black Mouse Alebrije Figure Signed by Artisans

Little Black Mouse Perez, Turquoise and Black Mouse Alebrije Figure Signed by Artisans

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

Chameleon with the Blues, Blue and Orange Chameleon Alebrije Figure from Oaxaca

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Frosty Owl' - Blue Tipped White and Black Owl Alebrije Figure from Oaxaca

Frosty Owl, Blue Tipped White and Black Owl Alebrije Figure from Oaxaca

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$87.99 Wholesale

$87.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Surprised Monkey' - Copal Wood Alebrije Carving of Multicolored Monkey

Surprised Monkey, Copal Wood Alebrije Carving of Multicolored Monkey

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

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)

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Flirty Hen' - Hen Alebrije Figurine

Flirty Hen, Hen Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Chirping Cricket, Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Iguana Joy, Copal Wood Alebrije Lizard Figurine from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Green Tree Frog, Handmade Wood Green Frog Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Cricket Song, Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

Turtle Love, Mexican Hand Painted Wood Sea Turtle Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Bold Deer, Hand Painted Deer Alebrije Sculpture

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Smiling Deer, Handmade Deer Alebrije Figurine

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, 'Turtle Mom Taxi' - Green and Blue Oaxacan Mother Turtle Alebrije with Babies

Turtle Mom Taxi, Green and Blue Oaxacan Mother Turtle Alebrije with Babies

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Wood hanging alebrije sculpture, 'Garden Hummingbird' - Handcrafted Wood Hanging Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture

Garden Hummingbird, Handcrafted Wood Hanging Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Orange Deer, Handcrafted Folk Art Alebrije Sculpture

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Golden Fox, Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

Owl Joy, Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije Owl Figurine from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

The Turtle and the Sea, Multicolored Hand Painted Wood Turtle Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Wood alebrije figurines, 'Dancing Toucans' (pair) - Handmade Bird Alebrijes (Pair)

Dancing Toucans, Handmade Bird Alebrijes (Pair)

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

Alebrije sculpture, 'Colorful Hummingbird' - Multi Color Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture Crafted by Hand

Colorful Hummingbird, Multi Color Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture Crafted by Hand

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

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 figurine, 'Scales and Dreams' - Mexican Handmade Copal Wood Armadillo Alebrije Figurine

Scales and Dreams, Mexican Handmade Copal Wood Armadillo Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Blue Tortoise, Wood Alebrije Tortoise Sculpture in Blue from Mexico

Teresita Gonzalez

(44)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Orange Owl, Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije-Style Figurine of Owl in Orange

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

Colorful Camel, Wood Alebrije Camel Figurine in Vivid Colors from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Reading Cat, Teal and Pink Cat-Themed Copal Wood Bookmark from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Fantastic Frog, Colorful Hand-Painted Frog Wood Alebrije-Style Figurine

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

Hummingbird Song, Handcrafted Copal Wood Alebrije Bird Ornament

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

White Coiled Snake, Handmade Coiled Snake-Shaped Wood Alebrije-Style Sculpture

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

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)

$77.99 Wholesale

$77.99

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

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

Buffalo Dream, Handmade Copal Wood Alebrije Buffalo Sculpture from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$97.99 Wholesale

$97.99

Stretching Cat in Green, Wood Alebrije Cat Sculpture in Green from Mexico

Silvia Julian

(14)

Wood alebrije home accent, 'Vibrant Hummingbird' - Hummingbird Alebrije Home Accent Hand Crafted in Oaxaca

Vibrant Hummingbird, Hummingbird Alebrije Home Accent Hand Crafted in Oaxaca

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

Yellow Good Luck Cricket, Wood Alebrije Cricket Sculpture in Yellow from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Nocturnal Cat, Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Cat Figurine from Mexico

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99

Wood alebrije ornament, 'Oaxaca Bull' - Handpainted Copal Wood Alebrije Bull Sculpture