Orange Snake Wood Carving Mexican Alebrije

Regular Price
USD$ 58
Sale Price
USD$ 58
Regular Price
Sold Out
Unit Price
Translation missing: en.general.accessibility.unit_price_separator 
Shipping calculated at checkout.

 

ABOUT THIS ALEBRIJE 

This Mexican snake is a tiny treasure. It was completely hand carved out of a single block of copal wood, which is considered sacred by Zapotec Indigenous people. Zapotec people live in Oaxaca since pre columbian times and in the small town of San Martín Tilcajete, they make the most magnificent  wood carvings of animals and fantastic figures commonly known as Alebrijes. 
The snake  displays a splendid decor of traditional patterns. Such patterns, commonly known as "grecas"  can be found at the pyramids of Mitla and Monte Alban, benchmark of the pre hispanic Zapotec civilization. The grecas are so meticulously painted, that an agave cactus thorn was used instead of a brush for the thiner strokes.
As shown in Coco, the movie; Zapotecs believe that every person has a guardian or spiritual guide. Such protectors are called Tonas and are linked to the qualities of a particular animal. This  snake alebrije can be considered as a  Tona since  for the Zapotecs is a symbol of abundance linked to good crops, fertility, and continuous transformation towards a better state. 

HEIGHT  0.708 In /   1.8 cm
LENGHT
 2.36 In /  6 cm
WIDTH
 2.36 In /  6 cm
 MADE OF Copal Wood
REGION San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico. 
TECHNIQUE
Carved from a single block, Hand painted
SPECIFICS
Signed by the artist at bottom
ETHNIC GROUP
Zapotec 

 

 

safe packing

worldwide shipping on request

 Handling time 1 to 3 business days
Delivery time  15 to 25 business days. 
Carrier & Service USPS International shipping from Mexico.
Other Shipping Options  Express shipping quotation on request.