Oaxacan Woodcarvings
Ranked #11,456 in Home & Garden, #154,097 overall
Handpainted Oaxacan Woodcarvings
Bienvenidos! Welcome to the wonderful world of Oaxacan wood carvings, whose Spanish name is "Alebrijes", a colorful and popular hand-painted Mexican folk art form.
Alebrijes are vibrantly colored handmade wooden figures representing a wide variety of animals and other fantastical creatures.
The current style was popularized in the 1960s by artist Manuel Jimenez, who took a simple local carving tradition and transformed it into an internationally appealing art form.
These highly collectible figures and are often found in southwestern American shops or folk artisan bazaars. I hope you will enjoy exploring the unique variety of beautiful examples out there.
Alebrijes are vibrantly colored handmade wooden figures representing a wide variety of animals and other fantastical creatures.
The current style was popularized in the 1960s by artist Manuel Jimenez, who took a simple local carving tradition and transformed it into an internationally appealing art form.
These highly collectible figures and are often found in southwestern American shops or folk artisan bazaars. I hope you will enjoy exploring the unique variety of beautiful examples out there.
Collecting Alebrijes
As with other collectibles, the price and value of Oaxacan woodcarving can be determined by who made them, how big they are, and how long each took to make, amongst other factors. Of course quality is also a consideration.
These figures range in size from about 2" tall to almost 2 FEET tall.
There is no shortage of varieties to choose from, and no set rule on which type of animal or figure you should collect. Select what appeals most to you. As your collection grows, you may want to consider doing further research by selecting specialized books on the topic.
The most important thing is that you truly ENJOY your collection of these beautiful creations!
These figures range in size from about 2" tall to almost 2 FEET tall.
There is no shortage of varieties to choose from, and no set rule on which type of animal or figure you should collect. Select what appeals most to you. As your collection grows, you may want to consider doing further research by selecting specialized books on the topic.
The most important thing is that you truly ENJOY your collection of these beautiful creations!
Armadillos Are Popular Choices
This oddly appealing little desert creature is a much-reproduced alebrije.
Most Popular Alebrije?
Want to know the number one best~selling Oaxacan woodcarving from Amazon?!?!
Believe it or not... THE PINK FLAMINGO!
Believe it or not... THE PINK FLAMINGO!
An Audio~Visual Alebrije Feature
An eye-catching video catalog of these fascinating figures.
automatically generated by YouTube
Find Out More
Interested in learning more about this art form? Here are some titles on the topic:
Like this Lens? You may also like:
My related lens on the Mexican folk art of Talavera pottery.
Planning a Mexican Getaway?
Comments and Feedback
Are you a collector?
Simply love these wildly colorful and imaginative creations?
Take a moment to sign the guestbook.
Thank you for visiting! If you liked this page, don't forget to rate it (see top).
-
-
GrowWear
Dec 31, 2009 @ 7:37 pm | delete
- Passing through to bless this worthy lens. Happy new year!
-
-
-
GrowWear
Dec 31, 2009 @ 7:29 pm | delete
- Passing through to bless this worthy lens. Happy new year!
-
-
-
Frankster Aug 7, 2009 @ 6:21 pm | delete
- What beautiful carvings and the paints are so colorful. I love them. Thanks for putting this lens together about them. Bear hugs, Frankster aka Bearmeister aka Cat-Woman
-
-
-
roamingrosie
Jun 19, 2009 @ 12:06 pm | delete
- These carvings are amazing! Really detailed. I love the armadillos and cats!
-
-
-
spirituality May 15, 2009 @ 8:26 am | delete
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
-
-
-
monarch13
Mar 19, 2009 @ 12:46 pm | delete
- Awesome! 5 stars and rolled to Mexican Festivals and Celebrations.
-
-
-
ratso Jan 17, 2009 @ 5:04 am | delete
- great woodcarving lens 5*
-
- Load More
Oaxacan Woodcarving Websites
I have recently found some amazing websites featuring Oaxacan woodcarvings that I would like to share with you!
by CrypticFragments
Tammy Winand was born and raised in south central Pennsylvania. Her passion for far off places and cultures developed through contact with foreign pen... more »
- 49 featured lenses
- Top lens » Pink Flamingo Theme Party
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
