Lion Alebrije Hand Painted Oaxacan Wood Carving Folk Art Oaxaca Mexico

Description

Alebrijes are Mexico's fantastic, imaginative figures - they are often called "creatures of the dreams and the imagination".  They are hand-carved and hand-painted  of copal wood in Central Mexico where I travel regularly to select affordable high quality and imaginative pieces. This extraordinary lion is an outstanding piece by Bernarda Rios.  This unique creation has two distinct paintings on each side of the lion.  Even the tail has two different paintings!  One side of the lion is painted in different colored sections with geometric designs adorned with raised points and dots of paint - much of it iridescent.  The detailing is wonderful.  The other side of the lion is a colorful combination of mostly blues, greens, pinks and orange with white dotwork. Among the leaves and flowers are a lizard, rabbit and an owl that seems to be part scorpion on the tail.  The face of the lion is orange, decorated with many colors and geometric designs. raised dots, iridescent and flat , adorn the face.  The teeth are carved with four large teeth a distinctive silver.  The mane is sisal.  This fabulous lion is approximately 15" long and 8 1/4" tall including removable tail.  This is a high quality, extraordinary and unique alebrije.