Alebrijes Parra y Hermanos

What is an Alebrije?

These are fantastical and colorful figures of Mexican folk art, combining physical features of various animals, real or imaginary. They are characterized by their vibrant colors and unique designs.

An alebrije is a Mexican folk art form that originated around 1936. Pedro Linares López was the person who created these creatures. Some represent real animals, while others are entirely fictional, like the dragon alebrije. The artist uses his imagination to create these fantastical beings from parts of different animals.

Wooden Alebrijes (Oaxaca)

They are the most common and sought after today.

• Wood: The wood used is primarily from the copal or copalillo tree (species of the genus Bursera ), native to the dry regions of Oaxaca. This wood is soft, which facilitates the artisanal carving process. For more specialized pieces, white cedar wood can also be used.
• Painting: Traditionally, natural pigments extracted from plants, lime, and other elements were used, but nowadays the use of acrylic paints is common.
• Tools: Machetes, gouges, and knives are used for carving.