Giraffe Alebrije by Gerardo & Teresa Ojeda

The first alebrijes originated with Pedro Linares, who in the 1930s fell very ill and while he was in bed, unconscious, dreamt of strange creatures. When he recovered he began recreating the creatures he saw in cardboard and papier-mâché and called them Alebrijes. The paper mache-to-wood carving adaptation was pioneered by Arrazola, Oaxaca native Manuel Jiménez. who used his own cosmos vision, imagination, and fauna from his area to create even more magical creatures.

Inspired by these examples, the artisans of many Oaxaca villages have been inspired by these examples to develop their own expressions.

• Size: 5 3/4"T x 2"W x 2 1/8"D
• artisan made: Gerardo & Teresa Ojeda
• Fair Trade
• wood
• Story card enclosed with purchase