Alebrijes and Wood Figures
Oaxacan Wood Carvings
Hand-carved and then painted in cheerful colors, these alebrije carvings are the most sought-after folk art in Mexico. Each finely-crafted sculpture reflects its maker’s talent and imagination. We buy our figurines directly from carvers living in villages of the Oaxaca valley. Most are signed by the artists. In most wood-carving families, the husband does the carving and whittling, children sand the figurines to a smooth finish, and it is often the wives who paint the finely-detailed patterns. The realm of Oaxacan woodcarving reflects the best of Mexico’s wonderful, “made-by-hand” artistic traditions.
Read More About Alebrijes and Wood Figures
Alebrijes are hand-carved and then painted in cheerful colors, these alebrijes carvings are the most sought-after folk art in Mexico. These figurines are carved from the twisted branches of the copal tree, which grow wild in the valley hills. The wood is lightweight, easily workable, and sands to a smooth finish. Each finely-crafted sculpture reflects its maker’s talent and imagination and each is one of a kind. Their inspiration comes from many places including their dreams, superstitions, and exuberant fiestas. We buy our figurines directly from carvers living in villages of the Oaxaca valley. Most are signed by the artists. Browse our Viva Oaxaca website galleries to see carvings by many fine artists including Mario Casellanos, Avelino Perez, Lauro Ramirez, the Blas family and the Taller Tribus Mixes. Enjoy!
Showing 85–112 of 117 results
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Small Blue Rabbit
Size: 11 inches tall x 5.5 inches wide
This Small Blue Rabbit has glass eyes. It is painted blue with blue with silver ‘fur’, and has long yellow ears. The back of the ears are blue. This Oaxacan wood carving is by Arsenio Morales. The rabbit measures 11 inches tall and is signed by the artist.
SKU: WD-1_084$135.00 -
Otter Carving
Size: 11.5 inches tall x 6 inches wide
The Otter Carving is standing on its hind legs. It is colorful and features the glass eyes characteristic of its artist. Handcrafted by Oaxacan wood carver Arsenio Morales. It is signed.
SKU: DW-1_080$170.00 -
White Rabbit
Size: 18 inches tall x 7 inches wide
This White Rabbit has glass eyes. It is painted white and has long red ears. The back of the ears are black. This Oaxacan wood carving is by Arsenio Morales. The rabbit measures 18 inches tall and is signed by the artist.
SKU: WD-1_080$210.00 -
Small Yellow Rabbit
Size: 10 inches tall x 5.5 inches wide
This Small Yellow Rabbit has glass eyes. It is painted yellow and has long red ears. The back of the ears are black. This Oaxacan wood carving is by Arsenio Morales. The rabbit measures 10 inches tall and is signed by the artist.
SKU: WD-1_107$125.00 -
Orange Bullfrog Carving
Size: 6 inches long x 4.5 inches tall
The Orange Bullfrog Carving is by David Blas. It features an orange underside with multicolored detailing on top. The top colors may slightly vary.
SKU: WD-4_003$98.00 -
Green Bullfrog Carving
Size: 6 inches long x 4.5 inches tall
The Green Bullfrog Carving is by David Blas. It features a green underside with multicolored detailing on top. The top colors may slightly vary.
SKU: WD-4_006$98.00 -
Tan Porcupine
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 6 inches long
The Tan Porcupine is a whimsical interpretation of this animal. The tan quills have three yellow accents on each one. This piece is not signed.
SKU: WD-1_051$60.00 -
Blue Porcupine
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 6 inches long
The Blue Porcupine is a whimsical interpretation of this animal. The aqua blue quills have three lighter aqua blue accents on each one. This piece is not signed.
SKU: WD-1_050$60.00 -
Chihuahua
Size: 9.5 inches tall by 8.5 inches long
The Chihuahua is a Oaxacan wood carving by Taller Tribus Mixes. It has a detachable bone and tail. The brown dog is designed in colors of gold, white, and black. This one of a kind dog is signed by the artist.
SKU: WD-7_074$159.00 -
Falcon
Size: 9.5 inches tall x 7 inches long
The Falcon has piercing gold eyes and wide open beak. It is beautifully designed in multiple colors. The browns, oranges, and reds stand out. It has silver talons. The falcon’s head is turned to the side. By Taller Tribus Mixes. This piece is signed.
SKU: WD-1_114$425.00 -
Blue Porcupine
Size: 5 inches tall x 7.5 inches long
The Blue Porcupine is made by Taller Tribus Mixes. The dense blue quills have two white and two black bands on each. The big blue ears stick up above the quills. The pink face is detailed with geometric designs. It has golden eyes. The ears detach for shipping.
SKU: WD-1_003$85.00 -
Serpent Alebrije No. 1
Size: 16.5 inches tall x 14.5 inches long x 19 inches wide
The Serpent Alebrije is a fantasy serpent with wings, a pointed tail, and a mane that surrounds the serpent’s head. It is multi-colored with beautiful, highly detailed designs. The eyes are fiery yellow and it has jagged teeth. The wings and feathers detach for safe shipping. By Taller Tribus Mixes. Note: This item is considered oversized and does not qualify for free shipping.
SKU: WD-1_010$290.00 -
Serpent Alebrije No. 3
Size: 15.5 inches tall x 14.5 inches long x 21 inches wide
The Serpent Alebrije is a fantasy serpent with wings, a pointed tail, and a mane that surrounds the serpent’s head. The body and wings are painted in black, white, metallic silver and metallic gold. The feathers on the wings are purple, orange, and blue. It is beautiful, highly detailed designs. The eyes are fiery orange and it has jagged teeth. The wings and feathers detach for safe shipping. By Taller Tribus Mixes, it is signed. Note: This item is considered oversized and does not qualify for free shipping.
SKU: WD-1_016$280.00 -
Orange Dragon
Size: 10 inches tall x 12 inches long x 9.5 inches wide
The orange dragon is painted in dark orange and mustard colors. The intricate design mimics the scales of a lizard. The spikes on the back are painted a metallic gold and the spike under the chin is a metallic silver. It has green eyes. The ears, wings, and tongue detach for safe shipping. Signed by the artist, Taller Tribus Mixes.
SKU: WD-1_017$150.00 -
Blue Owl
Size: 6 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide x 4.5 inches long
The Blue Owl is created by Mario Castellanos. It is carved from one piece of wood and painted in intricate geometrical designs. The colors used are blues, purples, golds and browns. It is signed.
SKU: WD-1_026$345.00 -
Brown Owl
Size: 5.5 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide x 4.5 inches long
The Brown Owl is created by Mario Castellanos. It is carved from one piece of wood and painted in intricate geometrical designs. The colors used are black, white, browns and golds. This piece is signed.
SKU: WD-1_027$345.00 -
Beaver
Size: 4.5 inches tall x 9 inches long x 5.25 inches wide
The Beaver carving is created by Mario Castellanos. It is beautifully posed with its back arched and the head turned to look behind. It is clasping to a piece of wood. It is expertly painted in colors of browns, golds, and blues. This piece is signed.
SKU: WD-1_024$550.00 -
Red Dog
Size: 5.25 inches tall x 2 inches wide x 4 inches long
This cute Red Dog is a whimsical design by Roberta Angeles. It is a bright red and has geometrical and floral designs. The tail detaches for safe shipping. Signed by the artist.
SKU: WD-2_07$35.00 -
Black Dog
Size: 5.25 inches tall x 2 inches wide x 4 inches long
This cute Black Dog is a whimsical design by Roberta Angeles. It is a black and has geometrical and floral designs. The tail detaches for safe shipping. Signed by the artist.
SKU: WD-2_10$35.00 -
Armadillo
Size: 1.75 inches tall x 1.25 inches wide x 7 inches long
The Armadillo carving is a creation by Roberta Angeles. They are multi-colored and all have a similar design, although color combinations vary. The tail detaches for shipping. Signed by the artist.
SKU: WD-2_16$30.00 -
Light Green Cat
Size: 8 inches long x 5.25 inches tall x 2 inches wide
The Light Green Cat is designed by Roberta Angeles. I has a stretching pose and is painted in bright, cheerful colors. The tail detaches for shipping. It is signed.
SKU: WD-2_037$30.00 -
Purple Cat
Size: 8 inches long x 5.25 inches tall x 2 inches wide
The Purple Cat is designed by Roberta Angeles. I has a stretching pose and is painted in bright, cheerful colors. The tail detaches for shipping. It is signed.
SKU: WD-2_038$30.00 -
Gray Cat
Size: 8 inches long x 5.25 inches tall x 2 inches wide
The Gray Cat is designed by Roberta Angeles. I has a stretching pose and is painted in bright, cheerful colors. The tail detaches for shipping. It is signed.
SKU: WD-2_039$30.00 -
Iguana Alebrije, Purple
Size: 5.5 inches long x 4.5 inches wide x 2.75 inches tall
The Iguana Alebrije in Purple features a curled tail and bright exaggerated spines. Created by the Blas family.
SKU: WD-4_012$43.00 -
Iguana Alebrije, Orange
Size: 5.5 inches long x 4.5 inches wide x 2.75 inches tall
The Iguana Alebrije in Orange features a curled tail and bright exaggerated spines. Created by the Blas family.
SKU: WD-4_013$43.00 -
Iguana Alebrije, Blue
Size: 5.5 inches long x 4.5 inches wide x 2.75 inches tall
The Iguana Alebrije in Blue features a curled tail and bright exaggerated spines. Created by the Blas family.
SKU: WD-4_014$43.00 -
Iguana Alebrije, Brown
Size: 5.5 inches long x 4.5 inches wide x 2.75 inches tall
The Iguana Alebrije in Brown features a curled tail and bright exaggerated spines. Created by the Blas family.
SKU: WD-4_015$43.00 -
Gold Armadillo
Size: 3.5 inches tall x 9 inches long x 2.5 inches wide
The Gold Armadillo is hand painted in metallic gold, black and white. It has big green eyes. This figure is by Tribus Mixes Collective. The tail and ears detach for shipping.
SKU: WD-7_010$90.00