oaxacan wood carvings

Mexico's Esteban Hernandez works in the wonderful Oaxacan folk art form known as alebrijes to create this unique pegasus sculpture. He carves the winged horse from copal wood, and then carefully paints it in minute detail with a rainbow of colors. Removable parts are detached for safe shipping.

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.

Mexican artisans Zeny and Reyna create this excellent alebrije sculpture, demonstrating their expertise in the Oaxacan folk art form. The whimsical sculpture is carved from copal wood and painted in lavish detail in a rainbow of colors.

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 feverish 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.

Working in the fabulous Oaxacan folk art form known as alebrijes, Mexico's Esteban Hernandez creates this unique sculpture. He carves the pegasus from copal wood, which is then carefully painted by hand in minute detail with a rainbow of colors. Removable parts are detached for safe shipping.

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.

This cobalt blue winged horse figure with flame-colored accents shows that Mexican handcrafts are quite adept at taking outside influences and making them their own. It is based on the European myth of Pegasus, but the design shows Japanese influence as well. It hand carved and hand painted by Oaxacan alebrije artist Esteban Hernandez.

Working in the fabulous folk art form known as alebrijes, Oaxacan artisan Esteban Hernandez creates this unique sculpture. He carves the pegasus from copal wood, which is then carefully painted by hand in minute detail with a rainbow of colors. Removable parts are detached for safe shipping.

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.