patterned

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.

Accented with geometric details resembling traditional Armenian textiles, this modern sculpture illustrates the loyal and patient side of the region. Also known for its calm attitude, this linden wood donkey is crafted by Vahe Mnacakanyan, whose talent and expertise allow him to add a minimalist style to the sculpture. As a graceful touch, the artwork comes with a base and a polished finish, enhancing the natural wood hue and grain pattern.

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.

Arlen Estrada hand-crafts this fabulous lady from ceramic and clads her in a skirt decorated with her signature geometric patterns. She'll look fantastic as a dining table centerpiece or adding a splash of color to your shelves. Arlen is known for ultra-modern geometric designs that bring a breath of fresh air to traditional techniques. She has grown her passion for the arts into running her own workshop, D'Abstracto, in Managua, Nicaragua.

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.

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.