|
|
Hands Around the World |
|
Specializing in Hand Made Treasures from Around the World
Oaxaca
Oaxacan Figuras de Madera (Figures of Wood) or Alebrijes. The Alebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico are now known and collected worldwide. Wood carving with Copal wood was introduced by many years ago by Dominican monks for altar decoration. Over the years Oaxacan carving has evolved into a very creative and fanciful art form. Alebrijes come from the imagination of the carvers, traditionally the men of the village. The women paint wonderfully minute and intricate designs all over the sculpture adding to its fantasy like appearance. They have become a very collectible and prized form of folk art.
Mexican Indians with carved gourds
Photo from Hands Around the World
These ladies are from the Cruz family workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico. The whole family creates the wonderfully fanciful figuras de madera which the region is famous for. The men generally do the carving, while the women do the painstakingly detailed painting. (Oaxaca animals)
Photo from Hands Around the World
