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About
This wonderful alebrije figurine is the original creation of Mexico's Claudio Ojeda. The Oaxacan artisan carves the howling wolf by hand from cedar wood, and then paints it by hand with colorful motifs. His tail is removed during shipping for safety.
The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all ran at him, shouting "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache. The same style of painting can also be found on other (non-animal) items.
Product details
- Cedar wood
- Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
- 60 grams
- 0.1 lbs
- 11.0 cm H x 16.0 cm W x 13.0 cm D
- 4.3" H x 6.25" W x 5" D
Meet the artist
"I think that every day is a struggle and, in that struggle, alebrijes are our guardians."
Latest Update
"My mother, Teresita Gonzales, also a featured artist, and I began working with you in 2018.
"It's been a real adventure, since we've been able to introduce our work to more people and my sales have increased. We have grown as artisans, preserving one of the most beautiful traditions of Mexico, alebrijes. We carry on the very clear mission of sharing the nahual tradition with each one of our hand-painted sculptures, which I have been creating since I was a boy.
"I'm very happy to work with you, and for the opportunity to showcase my heart ornaments in the National Geographic catalog. Sales have soared since that time.
"Since we began working with you, we've become more perfectionist and strict with ourselves. And we received two honorable mentions from FOFA in the areas of sculpture and painting.
"We imbue our designs with energy, passion, and a beautiful promise to share our work and talent. More than anything, our alebrijes preserve traditions that reflect more than a century of history. One of our trademarks is a textured finish that is visible in each sculpture.
“We continue working with a variety of designs and colors in order to fulfill everyone's needs.
Original Artisan Story
"My parents are also artists in the tradition of the Mazatec and Zapotec peoples in Oaxaca. When I was a boy, I enjoyed helping my mother around the house. I was very shy and the target of bullying. When was 12, I took martial arts classes and, thanks to that, I learned to be disciplined and believe in myself. However, a few years later I hurt my knee and broke my clavicle, and couldn't continue.
"When I was six, my mother began teaching me to make alebrijes, which are small and fanciful figurines whose form is dictated by natural branches. This was a legacy that marked my life. I wanted to learn the stories of alebrije artisans. Later, I became interested in crafting them myself. My mother was very patient when she taught me this craft.
"In high school, I met my best friends. Mother was very strict, which helped me excel in my studies, be conscious about my attitude, reaffirm my values, be a good student and get along with people. These lessons have helped me develop the potential of my mother's art.
"While learning, I felt like an amateur. My mother was a very demanding teacher. She taught me to envision the finished sculpture so I could prepare the wood properly. She taught me to paint the figures with love so each one could have a life of its own. Learning the fundamentals wasn't enough. It was necessary to bring all my experiences to this art. My designs and painting technique have evolved over time. I used to paint in abstract and cubist style but now, my painting uses more shading.
"My sculptures are crafted in the same way as traditional alebrijes, but I felt I had to do something different. I think bulls are admirable and emblematic. They symbolize power, honor and strength, and I began making alebrijes in their likeness.
"Since 2013, I've participated in cultural events for museums and foundations at the national level. I still live in Oaxaca, which is the birthplace of copal wood alebrije art. I've continued developing my technique and also work with my mother. I want to demonstrate the principles she taught me through my crafts, which are loyalty, honor, respect for the family and love for my work. I believe that every day is a struggle and, in that struggle, alebrijes are our guardians.
This item was handmade in Mexico by NOVICA artisan borrowers. Kiva lenders have helped these artisans stock up on materials, buy more tools and grow their businesses.
This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!
- Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
- Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.

We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
Return instructions
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This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
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We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
If an item is marked with a red bow, then it is guaranteed for delivery before Mother's Day, and will arrive by end of day on May 11th if ordered today. This only applies to orders with a delivery address within the continental USA.