Blue Otter

Dimensions in inches (Width x Height x Depth): 11 x 5 x 4.5”

When Manuel Jimenez carved his first Alebrije he was the very first of what would become many Oaxacan wood carvers and a new crafting tradition was born. Today his grandson, Armando, carries on the tradition with the playful designs and bright colors the Jimenez family is so well known for .

Oaxacan wood carvings are whimsical and enchanting figures that have captivated collectors around the world. They are imaginative and brilliantly colored figures that have been hand carved and hand painted in tiny villages around the city of Oaxaca.

Each figure is handmade from copal wood using machetes and pocket knives.  Artists carve the basic shape of a figure in a few days and then spend several days creating the fine detail. They further hand sand each piece and then spend several days in the painting process. The artists use fantasy and imagination in their intricately painted designs.  The carvings are full of movement and humor and are an authentic folk art form that knows no boundaries. 

Each carving is an original work of art and no two pieces are identical.