Modern Turquoise Cat Alebrije Sculpture, "Turquoise Cat"
Coming Back!
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Read more
Pre-Order Now!
This item is available for pre-order and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Read more
In this slightly more modern interpretation of traditional alebrije folk art, a stretching turquoise cat is covered with stripes, dots and spirals. Artisans Pablo and Lucy Mendez of Oaxaca carve the sculpture by hand from copal wood and paint it in meticulous detail. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.
The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's 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 "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache.
- 20 grams
- 0.71 oz
- 12 cm H x 9 cm W x 4 cm D
- 4.7" H x 3.5" W x 1.6" D
Gift Info
- Email this item in advance of a gift.
- Email this item as a gift suggestion.
- Free Gift Wrap? Yes
- Premium Gift Wrap? Yes
Find Similar Items
NOVICA Recognized Master
Your Purchase Makes a Difference!

Recognition Badges
"What we enjoy the most is how real and mythical animal shapes can emerge from a simple branch. They can be so colorful and original that they appear to have had a life on another planet."
Latest Update"We are a young married couple who inherited the knowledge of carving and painting copal wood alebrijes. We have gradually perfected... read more