feature sculpture

Evoking beasts of ancient myths, this traditional alebrije sculpture from Mexico is created by Teresita Gonzalez. Hand-carved from copal wood, a majestic owl spreads its colorful wings, featuring a hand-painted design with intricate motifs inspired by pre-Hispanic Nahua cultures. Curiously, the owl features a human face, complete with an elaborate mustache made from agave fibers.

Evoking beasts of ancient myths, this traditional alebrije sculpture from Mexico is created by Teresita Gonzalez. Hand-carved from copal wood, a majestic bull rears its head, featuring a hand-painted design with intricate motifs inspired by pre-Hispanic Nahua cultures. Curiously, the bull features a human face, complete with an elaborate mustache made from agave fibers. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

Carved of copal wood, this delightful figurine from Mexico depicts a swordfish. Mexican duo Zeny and Reyna design this "mystery of nature" in the traditional style of alebrije handicrafts. The swordfish features a vibrant, hand-painted finish.

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.

Feathers fan outward like petals, framing the face of Quetzalcoatl. Working in clay, artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association depict the "plumed serpent" with tiger teeth, to destroy enemies' hearts. The original piece was found in the Temple of Teotihuacan and dates from the Classic Period (100 to 800 AD). This exquisite sculpture faithfully replicates the original.

A cute little porcupine is crafted by hand of copal wood with spines of maguey plant fibers, making a charming addition to any home. Working together, Mexico's Zeny and Reyna paint this sculpture by hand to feature a solid green body with stripes of red and yellow along its spines.