Oaxacan Wood Carving History

The origins and inspirations behind the creation of oaxacan figures of wood will depend on who you ask.

Oaxacan wood carving history. A machete is used to create the rough basic form of the. Original folk art for collectors and enthusiasts. Before wood carving became popular copal tree resin was primarily used to make incense and it s berries were a common cure for acne. Oaxacan wood carvings history oaxaca has a wood carving tradition dating from pre hispanic times.

In the beginning baskets were created for their utilitarian value. Characterized as a soft wood the tree thrives in higher elevations and is an aggressive grower. Following the spanish conquest carvers made wooden saints angels crosses altars and masks. Although the oaxaca valley area already had a history of carving animal and other types of figures from wood it was at this time when bronowski s workshop took place when artisans from oaxaca knew the alebrijes paper mache sculptures.

For some of the artisans it was the need to fill in time while toiling in the field and others a tradition of toy making. The masks were used in dances and representations about biblical passages and christian stories that helped friars catechize the native people. Copalillo wood is the most commonly used wood to create these carvings. The city and municipality of oaxaca de juárez or simply oaxaca is the capital and largest city of the mexican state of the same name.

Evolving history of oaxacan figures of wood. Authentic wood figurines from southern mexico villages. It is located in the centro district in the central valleys region of the state on the foothi. Zapotec cacao dark chocolate bars.

The brightly colored folk art sculptures depicting fantastical creatures are a popular handicraft made in the. Tzomplantle and cedar are also used. They are usually carved into animal shapes. Oaxacan wood carvings.

Copal branches can be very fragrant depending on the time of year they are pruned. Using a machete and other simple tools along with their enormous creativity the oaxacan wood carvers create hundreds of different whimsical looking animals as. Oaxcanwoodcarving comprehensive place for original oaxacan wood carving folk art animalitos and alebrijes from villages of san antonio arrazola san pedro cajonos ever since men and women have been known to be on earth they made and used baskets. Then linares designs were adapted to the carving of a local wood called copal.

Oaxaca wood carvings sometimes called alebrijes are a new mexican folk art form that originated in several small villages located in the the state of oaxaca mexico over the past 30 40 years. Famous alebrijes festivos musicians spirit animals angels nahuals diablos. Zapotecs used to carve religious totems and ceremonial masks. Oaxacan woodcarvings are called alebrijes which is a term that was first used by pedro linares to describe his paper maché creations.