mexican folk art animals

This unique papier mache alebrije sculpture is crafted by Marina Lozano in Mexico. The artisan creates her fantastical version of a bird, with enormous bug-like eyes and a long neck and tail. Designed to grace the edge of a bookshelf or table, the creature is painted by hand in bright colors and varied patterns.

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 shouted "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.

$74

Colorful Bird Bird-Like Papier Mache Alebrije Sculpture

Marina Lozano

(12)

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.

$74

Pink Iguana Pink and Yellow Wood Iguana Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$147 Wholesale

$147

Woman with Alebrijes Alebrije-Themed Ceramic Sculpture from Mexico

Aguilar Artisan Workshop

(15)

Wearing a colorful floral dress, a Mexican woman hangs out with various vibrant alebrije animals. By the Aguilar Artisan Workshop, this cultural sculpture is crafted from ceramic and diligently painted entirely by hand.

$87 Wholesale

$87

Tissue paper garlands, 'Piñatas' (set of 3) - Mexican Folk Art Papel Picado Paper Garlands (Set of 3)

The town of San Salvador Huixcolotla in Puebla is known as the capital of papel picado or cut paper art which is a Mexican folk art tradition that goes back to the time of the Aztecs and is now used to decorate Day of the Dead altars. Artisan Isabel Rodriguez designs a colorful set of three tissue paper banners laser cut to attain the precise designs, which include flowers, donkey piñatas and doves.

Piñatas Mexican Folk Art Papel Picado Paper Garlands (Set of 3)

Isabel Rodriguez

$29 Wholesale

$29

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

A playful hummingbird seeks out the sweet nectar of flowers in an alebrije sculpture designed to hang from the ceiling. Zeny and Reyna transform found pieces of copal wood into a delightful alebrije. These fanciful sculptures are a traditional folk art in Oaxaca, once based on twenty totems but today representing all kinds of animals. They take their name from a Calo gypsy word for "something difficult, tangled, confusing or fantastic."

Includes a thread for hanging.

Because each alebrije is individually created work of folk art, shapes will vary slightly. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

Green Hummingbird Green Hummingbird Alebrije Sculpture Crafted by Hand

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$77 Wholesale

$77

Copal wood alebrije, 'Cute Porcupine in Red' - Copal Wood Alebrije Porcupine Sculpture in Red and Blue

Zeny and Reyna work together to craft this beautiful porcupine alebrije sculpture by hand from copal wood and maguey fibers. They add beautiful hand-painted motifs in red, white and blue for a vibrant addition to any home, reflecting the lively nature of Mexican artisanal traditions.

Cute Porcupine in Red Copal Wood Alebrije Porcupine Sculpture in Red and Blue

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$39 Wholesale

$39

Mexico Valley Butterfly Ink on Paper Giclée Print of Traditional Butterfly Stamp

Rommy

Mexican artist Rommy draws inspiration from his country's natural beauty to create this giclée print that honors the region's history. Putting his expertise and skill into practice, Rommy recreates the traditional butterfly stamp using ink in a palette of blue, red and black hues. The artwork comes stretched, ready to add a little piece of Mexico's culture to your interiors.

$39 Wholesale

$39

Such Big Eyes For a Pigeon IV Traditional Animal-Themed Wood Block Print in Blue

R. Fabricio

"Such big eyes for a pigeon," say people in the Mexican region whenever they suspect someone is not telling the whole truth. But some lies have a particular meaning underneath, just as R. Fabricio's newest wood block print intends to convey through intense hues. After all, Fabricio's ink composition already portrays the pigeon, this time through a blue veil of loyalty.

The piece is titled Muy ojona pa paloma in Spanish.

"Such big eyes for a pigeon," say people in the Mexican region whenever they suspect someone is not telling the whole truth. But some lies have a special meaning underneath, just as R. Fabricio's newest wood block print intends to convey through intense hues. After all, Fabricio's ink composition already portrays the pigeon, this time through an orange veil of fieriness.

The piece is titled Muy ojona pa paloma in Spanish.

$49

Such Big Eyes For a Pigeon III Traditional Animal-Themed Wood Block Print in Orange

R. Fabricio

"Such big eyes for a pigeon," say people in the Mexican region whenever they suspect someone is not telling the whole truth. But some lies have a characteristic meaning underneath, just as R. Fabricio's newest wood block print intends to convey through intense hues. After all, Fabricio's ink composition already portrays the pigeon, this time through a pink veil of caprice.

The piece is titled Muy ojona pa paloma in Spanish.

$49

Such Big Eyes For a Pigeon II Traditional Animal-Themed Wood Block Print in Pink

R. Fabricio

$49

Such Big Eyes For a Pigeon I, Traditional Animal-Themed Wood Block Print in Green

R. Fabricio

$49

'Colorful Tiger' (2020) - Acrylic Pop Art Painting of Tiger in Mexican Alebrije Style

Colorful Tiger, Acrylic Pop Art Painting of Tiger in Mexican Alebrije Style

Morneo

(7)

$1677 Wholesale

$1677

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)

$267 Wholesale

$267

Blue Hummingbird, Blue Hummingbird Alebrije Hanging Sculpture from Mexico

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$74

Blue Axolotl, Handmade Copal Wood Axolotl Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Orange Deer, Handcrafted Folk Art Alebrije Sculpture

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$59

Candle Life, Handmade Mexico Huichol Candle Beadwork Nierika Art

Kupihaute

(3)

$140.99 Wholesale

~~$187.99~~ $140.99

Scorpion Dancing, Handmade Huichol Beadwork Nierika Blue Scorpion Painting

Kupihaute

(3)

$142.49 Wholesale

~~$189.99~~ $142.49

Scorpion Bear, Huichol Beaded Bear Figurine

Miguel Díaz

(8)

$79 Wholesale

$79

Blue Bunny, Hand Beaded Huichol Rabbit Sculpture

Miguel Díaz

(8)

$59

Cricket Song, Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$49

Fire Dragon Alebrije, Traditional Red and Blue Watercolor Alebrije Dragon Painting

Morneo

(7)

$67 Wholesale

$67

Owl Alebrije, Traditional Expressionist Watercolor Alebrije Owl Painting

Morneo

(7)

$59

Tongue Fish Alebrije, Classic Expressionist Watercolor Alebrije Fish Painting

Morneo

(7)

$59

Angry Dragon Alebrije, Traditional Multicolor Watercolor Alebrije Dragon Painting

Morneo

(7)

$67 Wholesale

$67

Green Bird Alebrije, Expressionist Green Watercolor Alebrije Bird Painting

Morneo

(7)

$67 Wholesale

$67

Horned Lizard Alebrije, Expressionist Watercolor Alebrije Horned Lizard Painting

Morneo

(7)

$59

Eagle Alebrije, Traditional Expressionist Watercolor Alebrije Eagle Painting

Morneo

(7)

$59

Red-Dot Snake Alebrije, Classic Expressionist Watercolor Alebrije Red Snake Painting

Morneo

(7)

$59

eARThiness, Handmade Mexico Huichol Nierika Rabbit Deer Beadwork

Kupihaute

(3)

$140.99 Wholesale

~~$187.99~~ $140.99

Magical Rabbit, Copal Wood Rabbit Alebrije Figurine from Mexico

Manuel Cruz

(12)

$109 Wholesale

$109

Powerful Jaguar, Carved Wood Decorative Jaguar Mask from Guatemala

Juan and Carolina

(78)

$104 Wholesale

$104

Pair of Nahuales, Peacock-Themed Ceramic Nahual Sculpture from Mexico

Aguilar Artisan Workshop

(15)

$69 Wholesale

$69

Florid Cuernavaca, Floral Ceramic Tree of Life Sculpture from Mexico

Magdaleno Fierro

(6)

$149 Wholesale

$149

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Mexican Dragon in Red' - Copal Wood Alebrije Sculpture of Dragon in Red and Orange

Mexican Dragon in Red, Copal Wood Alebrije Sculpture of Dragon in Red and Orange

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$114 Wholesale

$114

Colima Dog with Vase, Handcrafted Ceramic Mexican Pre-Hispanic Dog Figurine

Angel Ceron Artisan Association

(261)

$87 Wholesale

$87

Ceramic figurine, 'Red Colima Dog' - Ceramic Pre-Hispanic Dog Figurine Handcrafted in Mexico

Red Colima Dog, Ceramic Pre-Hispanic Dog Figurine Handcrafted in Mexico

Angel Ceron Artisan Association

(261)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Wood alebrije ornaments, 'Dreamy Coyote' (pair) - Folk Art Alebrije-Themed Coyote-Shaped Wood Ornament Pair

Dreamy Coyote, Folk Art Alebrije-Themed Coyote-Shaped Wood Ornament Pair

Alejandra Gallardo

(8)

$23 Wholesale

$23

Divine Jaguar, High-Polished Jaguar-Themed 24k Gold-Plated Pendant Necklace

Ali Guzman

$234 Wholesale

$234

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

Mythical Pegasus, Hand Painted Pegasus Alebrije Sculpture

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

$77 Wholesale

$77

Fierce Jaguar, Handmade Wooden Alebrije Statuette

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Blue Good Luck Cricket' - Wood Alebrije Cricket Sculpture in Blue from Mexico

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

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$49

Alebrije sculpture, 'Golden Cricket' - Cricket Copal Alebrije Wood Sculpture from Mexico

Golden Cricket, Cricket Copal Alebrije Wood Sculpture from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$49

Bold Coyote, Oaxacan Wood Alebrije Statuette

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

$119 Wholesale

$119

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Mexican Dragon in Blue' - Copal Wood Alebrije Sculpture of Dragon in Blue from Mexico

Mexican Dragon in Blue, Copal Wood Alebrije Sculpture of Dragon in Blue from Mexico

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$114 Wholesale

$114

Natural Flight, Wood Alebrije Hummingbird Ornament from Mexico

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$57 Wholesale

$57

Shimmering Fish, Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Fish Figurine from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$59

Chirping Cricket, Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$49

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

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$49

Alebrije wood coasters, 'Magical Peacocks' (pair) - Pair of Hand-Painted Alebrije Peacock-Themed Wood Coasters

Magical Peacocks, Pair of Hand-Painted Alebrije Peacock-Themed Wood Coasters

Margarita Revilla

(6)

$25 Wholesale

$25

Wood ornaments, 'Vivacious Donkey' (set of 4) - Set of 4 Hand-Painted Piñata-Themed Colorful Wood Ornaments

Vivacious Donkey, Set of 4 Hand-Painted Piñata-Themed Colorful Wood Ornaments

Alejandra Gallardo

(8)

$37 Wholesale

$37

Mythic Bull, Hand-Carved Wood Alebrije Bull Sculpture from Mexico

Teresita Gonzalez

(44)

$127 Wholesale

$127

Copal wood alebrije, 'Cute Porcupine' - Yellow and Green Copal Wood Alebrije Porcupine Sculpture

Cute Porcupine, Yellow and Green Copal Wood Alebrije Porcupine Sculpture

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$37 Wholesale

$37

Blue Alebrije, Surrealist Mexican Alebrije Style Acrylic Dragon Painting

Morneo

(7)

$127 Wholesale

$127

Fascinating Fish, Colorful Wood Alebrije Fish Figurine from Mexico

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$64 Wholesale

$64

Ethereal Mirage, Handcrafted Alebrije Steel Wall Art of Rooster-Headed Dragon

Alejandro de Esesarte

(323)

$59

Oneiric Dragon, Handcrafted Alebrije Steel Wall Art of Dragon

Alejandro de Esesarte

(323)

$57 Wholesale

$57

Butterfly Rainbow, Hand-Painted Alebrije Butterfly Wood Door Hanger from Mexico

Margarita Revilla

(6)

$29 Wholesale

$29

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Toro Underworld' - Mexican-Made Black and White Wood Alebrije Bull Sculpture

Toro Underworld, Mexican-Made Black and White Wood Alebrije Bull Sculpture

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

$114 Wholesale

$114

Alebrije wood coasters, 'Magical Dragonflies' (pair) - Pair of Hand-Painted Alebrije Dragonfly-Themed Wood Coasters

Magical Dragonflies, Pair of Hand-Painted Alebrije Dragonfly-Themed Wood Coasters

Margarita Revilla

(6)

$25 Wholesale

$25

Wood ornaments, 'Vivacious Donkey' (pair) - Pair of Hand-Painted Wood Donkey Ornaments with Ribbons

Vivacious Donkey, Pair of Hand-Painted Wood Donkey Ornaments with Ribbons

Alejandra Gallardo

(8)

$29 Wholesale

$29

Blue Chihuahua, Hand Painted Blue Chihuahua Alebrije

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$107 Wholesale

$107

Wood hanging alebrije sculpture, 'Joyful Hummingbird' - Wood Hanging Alebrije Hummingbird Sculpture in Purple

Joyful Hummingbird, Wood Hanging Alebrije Hummingbird Sculpture in Purple

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$44 Wholesale

$44

Exotic Purple Friend, Hand-Painted Ceramic Alebrije Purple Iguana Sculpture

Nohemi Calixto

$49

Curiosity Cousin in Brown, Handcrafted Brown Wood Alebrije Playful Cat Figurine

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

(81)

$49

Exotic Green Friend, Handcrafted and Painted Ceramic Alebrije Iguana Sculpture

Nohemi Calixto

$49

Wood alebrije ornament, 'Festival Plumage' - Hand-Painted Carnation Copal Wood Alebrije Bird Ornament

Festival Plumage, Hand-Painted Carnation Copal Wood Alebrije Bird Ornament

Zeny and Reyna

(334)

$47 Wholesale

$47

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

Bold Cimarron, Hand-Carved Bighorn Sheep Alebrije

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$59

Colorful Jaguar, Painted & Lacquered Papier Mache Mexican Jaguar Mask

Morneo

(7)

$579 Wholesale

$579

Purple Quetzal, Artisan Crafted Bird Alebrije Sculpture

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$74

Orange Quetzal, Multicolored Wooden Bird Alebrije Sculpture

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$74

Wood ornaments, 'Donkey Festival' (pair) - Piñata-Themed Donkey-Shaped Colorful Wood Ornament Pair

Donkey Festival, Piñata-Themed Donkey-Shaped Colorful Wood Ornament Pair

Alejandra Gallardo

(8)

$25 Wholesale

$25

Golden Fox, Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije

Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda

(16)

$59

Heaven's Romance, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Heart and Dove Motifs

Pacheco Gold and Silversmiths

(14)

$109 Wholesale

$109

Cheerful Camel, Handcrafted Copal Wood Camel Alebrije Figurine in Grey

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$47 Wholesale

$47

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Marine Hades' - Sea Life-Themed Black and White Alebrije Dolphin Sculpture

New Arrival

Marine Hades, Sea Life-Themed Black and White Alebrije Dolphin Sculpture

Eugenia and Roberto Sosa

(16)

$79 Wholesale

$79

Melon Hiss, Hand-Painted Melon Copal Wood Alebrije Snake Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Aqua Hiss' - Hand-Painted Aqua Copal Wood Alebrije Snake Figurine

Aqua Hiss, Hand-Painted Aqua Copal Wood Alebrije Snake Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$99

Amber Hiss, Hand-Painted Amber Copal Wood Alebrije Snake Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Green Spike' - Geometric Green and Blue Copal Wood Alebrije Dog Figurine

Green Spike, Geometric Green and Blue Copal Wood Alebrije Dog Figurine

Esteban Hernandez

(37)

$64 Wholesale

$64

Chameleonic Honey, Hand-Painted Honey Copal Wood Chameleon Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)

$99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Chameleonic Blue' - Hand-Painted Blue Copal Wood Chameleon Alebrije Figurine

Chameleonic Blue, Hand-Painted Blue Copal Wood Chameleon Alebrije Figurine

Jesus and Roxana Hernandez

(102)