Cat Alebrije
Date: 2021
Inventory Number: MUS-117-0017
Classification: Decorative Arts
Subject:
toy,
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
all: 21.6 × 18.4 × 7.6 cm (8 1/2 × 7 1/4 × 3 in.)
Description:
Handmade carving of a cat from copal wood (in the Mexican alebrije style). Painted in a variety of colors and patterns, using organic pigments. Includes a detachable tail.
InscribedThe following accompanies a simple flower sketch on the item's bottom:
"El milagro del copal"
arte en Madera
Oaxaca - San Martin Tilcajete
Hecho en Mexico
Translation:
"The miracle of the copal"
Wood art
Oaxaca - San Martin Tilcajete
Made in Mexico
"El milagro del copal"
arte en Madera
Oaxaca - San Martin Tilcajete
Hecho en Mexico
Translation:
"The miracle of the copal"
Wood art
Oaxaca - San Martin Tilcajete
Made in Mexico
FunctionDecorative.
Curatorial RemarksThe alebrije is a type of wooden sculpture from Oaxaca, Mexico that represents colorful animals and fantasy creatures. These folk art sculptures are hand-painted by local artisans using ornate and detailed patterns. The original alebrije came from Pedro Linares, an indigenous Mexican artist. According to lore, Linares became ill and dreamt of a whimsical forest where animals transformed into fantasy creatures with unusual colors and patterns and chanted the nonsense word. The name alebrije was given to the sculptures initially created by Linares from papier-mâché. They were later transitioned to wood upon being shared with Oaxacan artisan Manuel Jimenez, who incorporated indigenous Zapotec woodcarving traditions.
ProvenanceHandmade at Taller Jacobo y María Ángeles (the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles) in San Martín Tilcajete (Oaxaca, Mexico). Purchased at the workshop by Maria Edible in March 2021.
Published Referenceshttps://www.nps.gov/cham/learn/historyculture/oaxacan-art.htm