geometric patterns

Playful and flexible, otters represent the vibrant nature of the rivers with their unique personalities, inspiring Alejandro and Rocio Jimenez from Mexico to adapt them to the traditional alebrije style. Using a refreshing palette of iris and mint hues, this sweet copal wood otter figurine has a geometric pattern all over its body, creating an enchanting accent for your home decor.

Bring home this colorful alebrije rendition of a xolo—short for xoloesquintle—Mexico's iconic hairless dog. Jesus and Roxana Hernandez hand-carve it from copal wood and decorate its body with joyful geometric patterns in a palette of flame orange, turquoise blue, lime green and purple. The tail is removable for shipping.

The artisan couple comes from a Zapotec community in Oaxaca known for its alebrijes. Jesus takes care of the carving part, while Roxana works her magic creating the colorful patterns that decorate their designs.

Add a unique touch to your holiday ornament collection with this detailed alebrije heart by husband and wife duo Jesus and Roxana. They hand-carve it from copal wood and hand-paint it with joyful geometric designs in turquoise, cyan blue, and purple.

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez come from a Zapotec community in Oaxaca where a large number of the residents work crafting alebrijes. Jesus takes care of the carving part while Roxana works her magic creating the colorful patterns that decorate them.

Meticulously painted by hand in vivid hues and a variety of patterns, this two-humped camel exemplifies the alebrije tradition of Oaxaca, Mexico. Handcrafted by Jesus and Roxana Hernandez, the decorative sculpture is made of copal wood. The Mexican artisans want to bring attention to the amazing handicrafts the wood carvers of their village are capable of producing, and Jesus recognizes that as he and Roxana carve and decorate these imaginary creatures, "...we contribute toward making our community more prosperous."

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.

Bursting with color and personality, this hand-carved wooden owl figurine celebrates the joyful spirit of traditional Mexican alebrije folk art, brought to life through intricate patterns and bold hues. Carefully carved from copal wood and painted by hand, each detail reflects the skilled craftsmanship and imaginative style of artisans Jesus and Roxana Hernandez, making every piece a one-of-a-kind expression of creativity, culture and charm.

Traditional Oaxacan alebrije artistry reaches new heights in this spectacular hand-painted sculpture of a coiled snake, where copal wood transforms into a kaleidoscope of cultural expression. Mexican artisans Eugenia and Roberto Sosa's dedication to authentic techniques shines through every meticulously applied brushstroke while their environmentally responsible harvesting methods protect copal trees by utilizing only naturally fallen branches. The result is a breathtaking figurine adorned with ancestral patterns that pulse with life and meaning.

Bold traditional motifs explode across the hand-painted surface of this exceptional alebrije-style figurine in the shape of a frog, carved from sustainably-harvested copal wood that honors both artistic heritage and ecological responsibility. Mexican artisans Eugenia and Roberto Sosa's meticulous attention to detail brings ancient Oaxacan patterns to brilliant life, while their commitment to using only fallen branches ensures the precious copal trees continue to thrive. This remarkable decorative accent stands as a powerful celebration of Mexican cultural artistry and environmental stewardship.

Ancestral patterns explode across copal wood in this hand-painted bull sculpture that transforms traditional alebrije artistry into pure visual magic. Every curve and contour bursts with vibrant colors and intricate designs that honor generations of Mexican cultural heritage, while the sustainable crafting methods of using only fallen branches from the trees ensure each piece carries both artistic integrity and environmental consciousness. Artisans Eugenia and Roberto Sosa's masterful attention to authentic techniques produces a stunning home accent that radiates the soul of Mexican folk art tradition. Please note that the figurine’s tail arrives detached for shipping purposes.