Oaxacan (pronounced Wa-Haw-Ken) wood carvings are
whimsical and enchanting art figures that have captivated
collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. These highly
imaginative and brilliantly colored figures are totally
hand-carved and painted in tiny villages in the Oaxacan
Valley of Southern Mexico. Many of the carvers are
descendants of the legendary and renowned Zapotec Indian
Tribe of Oaxaca. Each figure is handmade from Copal wood,
a soft regenerative wood that grows in abundance in the
hills surrounding Oaxacan Valley, using machetes and
pocket knives. Artists carve the basic shape of a figure
in a few days, then hand sand and meticulously paint each
piece in great detail. It can take up to a full week to
complete one figure. The artists use fantasy and
imagination in their painting to make the animals appear
more alive. Full of movement and humor, Oaxacan wood
carving is an authentic folk art. Each carving is unique.
Carvings are signed by the artists and available in
limited quantities. Appreciation in value is possible due
to the high demand and uniqueness of this work. Many of
these figures have become collectors' items. Narrative
story cards are provided for each carving.
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