Oaxaca, Mexico: Alebrijes and wood sculptures from the Zapotec artists in Arrazola.

Do you like armadillos? We've got armadillos.

Armadillo Azul by Angel Santiago

This Blue Armadillo is about 15" long by 3" wide by 6" high. It was carved by Angel Santiago and painted by Josefina Morales, both Zapotec artists in Arrazola, Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca. Click on the name to find this in the Pale Horse Galleries online store. If you wish, copy and paste this into your browser:

http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/product_info.php/cPath/2/products_id/120

Armadillo Rojo by Angel Santiago

This Red Armadillo is 11.5" long by 2.5" wide by 4.5" high.


Armadillo Rojo by Oscar Carillo and Josefina Morales

This red Armadillo is 20.5" long by 6" wide by 9" high.

You can buy these hand made examples of the finest Zapotecan Mexican art and crafts at the Pale Horse Galleries online store. Just click the link or copy and paste the following into your browser:

http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/



Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
Cross posted at Mark in Mexico

TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, armadillos

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Arrazola, Oaxaca, Mexico: Javelín carved and painted by Zapotec artists Oscar Carrillo and Josefina Morales

This example of Zapotec Mexican art shows the artists' imaginations applied to a real life animal. This fine Javelín, carved by Oscar Carrillo and painted by Josefina Morales, demonstrates the Zapotecans' attention to detail. Just look at the number of passes made with a hardened wooden tool to apply the skin tone to the animal. Probably somewhere around 3000 seperate strokes to apply all of the color on top of the base colors.

Javelín

The Javelín (hab eh LEAN) is about 16 inches long and about 9 inches high. These pieces of Zapotec Mexican art and crafts make excellent gifts as well as collectibles.

Oh yes, here is Josefina painting another of Oscar's creations.

Zapotec artist Josefina Morales painting an alebrije


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts

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Oaxaca, Mexico: Another short sword, "Machete Costeño" from Angel Aguilar's collection of Toledo Steel knives, swords and cutlery.

In the previous post, I displayed a short sword, called a "Machete Americano", which was developed by the Spaniards in the 16th century to both handle the heavy mangrove not found in the caribbean as well as to serve as a weapon, much like the naval cutlass. These fine, hand forged and hand tempered knives, swords and cutlery make cherished gifts and fine collectibles. Know one knows how much longer these processes, dating back to the 15th century, will survive.

Well, here we have another version, called the "Machete Costeño" or coastal machete. This short sword was developed prior to the Machete Americano for use along the coastal areas of Mexico, Central and South America. The plants growing along the coastal regions were much heavier than anything the Spanish had found in the Caribbean.

23.5" Machete Costeño

You can note the guard on the sword is much like that found on naval cutlasses, indicating that the Machete Costeño was used as a weapon. You can also note the distictive hump in the middle of the back of the blade. This hump of extra steel gave the Machete Costeño added weight for hacking through the dense, coastal underbrush. The 23.5" Machete Costeño with 18" blade comes with a hand tooled and sewn leather scabbard.

You can meet Angel Aguilar, master swordmaker form Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico, and read all about his 16th century Toledo Steel techniques, by clicking here.

You can see and buy any of Angel Aguilar's hand forged and hand tempered knives, swords and cutlery at the Pale Horse Galleries online store. Just click on the link or copy and paste this address into your browser:

http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/index.php/cPath/5?osCsid=fb0c59b59455753457d125fe2e62fccd


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts

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Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico: A short sword, "Machete Americano", hand forged and hand tempered by Angel Aguilar

The "Machete Americano" short sword

The machetes used by the Spanish in New Spain (the Americas, according to the Spanish) were OK for the brushy or jungled interiors of the countries they explored/conquered. However, once the Spaniards reached the coasts of the Americas, they ran into mangrove.

Mangrove is more a tree than a bush or brush. And in the northern fringes of their empire, in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas, the mangrove are the toughest of all. So the Spanish needed a machete with more beef. At the same time, they developed a machete that could be used as a weapon if need be.

The "Machete Americano" was the result. This short sword, because that's what it really is, rather than the classic machete, is 24" in overall length and has a blade length of 18". It more closely resembles the cutlass used by sailors and marines of the 16th century world and made famous by the buccaneers and pirates.

This would have been the tool used by Jean Lafitte and his crews as they cleared Barataria in the bayou outside New Orleans. Any other machete or knife would have been too light.

The Machete Americano is hand forged and hand tempered in the forge of Angel Aguilar, master swordmaker of Ocotlan. This blade would probably quite quickly hack and chop through just about anything short of a full sized, mature oak tree. It would make an astonishingly effective gift for the woodsman on your list, as well as be a collectible that would last several lifetimes.

You can purchase this classic 16th century tool, still in use today, from Angel Aguilar at the Pale Horse Galleries online store. Just click on the link, or copy and paste http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ into your browser.


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!

TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, Toledo steel, Angel Aguilar

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Arrazola, Oaxaca, Mexico: More wood sculptures and alebrijes

Here are two artists I have not yet introduced. They are the husband and wife team of Fidencio and Elva Ojeda from Arrazola, Xoxcotlan, Mexico.

Elva and Fidencio have been carving and painting copal wood figures and alebrijes for about 20 years. As is common among the Zapotecs, the men do the carving and the women do the painting.

Ciervo Dorado

This piece can be purchased from Fidencio and Elva through the Pale Horse Galleries online store. You can click on the link or copy and´paste this into your browser: http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/

Fidencio Ojeda


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts

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Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico: Knives, swords and cutlery in Toledo steel

From the forge of Angel Aguilar in Ocotlan comes a very exclusive pie and cake serving set. These pieces are hand forged, just as are his knives and swords, using the 16th century techniques that made Toledo, Spain famous for its steel.

These collector's items would also make fine gifts. They are a more domestically useful example of the Toledo steel sword and knife making art. Mexican Zapotec craftsmen were taught these skills by both the Sapnish conquistadors as well as Benedictine Friars who came from Toledo, Spain.

You can read all about Angel Aguilar, Zapotec master swordmaker here and here at Mark in Mexico. There is also a detailed explanation of the Toledo steel swordmaking process as well as photos of Angel working on swords and knives in his shop.


2 piece Pie and Cake Serving Set

You may purchase this set from Angel Aguilar through the Pale Horse Galleries online store. Click on the link or copy and paste this into your browser: http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/

Angel's 16th century church in Ocotlan de Morelos, Oaxaca, Mexico


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico, swords, knives, cutlery, Angel Aguilar

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Arrazola, Oaxaca, Mexico: Here's a couple of sculpted cats in copal wood

Many people like cats. Here we've put two of them together to offer as a pair. A blue cat and a golden cat eyeing each other. Two fine examples of the craftsmanship and artistry of the Zapotec artists of Oaxaca. These two are from the father-daughter team of Felipe and Lucila Zarate. If you haven't already, you can see them and read all about them here and here.

These two cats, titled Dos Gatos Sentándose (two cats sitting), can be purchased from Felipe and Lucila at the Pale Horse Galleries online store. Just click on the link or copy and paste this link into your browser: http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/product_info.php/cPath/2/products_id/132

If you would like to see other examples of wood sculptures and alebrijes from the Zapotec artists of Oaxaca, click on this link or copy and paste this into your browser: http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/

These are being offered as a pair for a savings of $35.00 over the price for each if purchased seperately. Either cat can be purchased seperately from the Pale Horse Galleries store, the Blue Cat here and the Golden cat here.

These beautiful examples of Zapotec imagination and skill make great gifts and collectibles. They are sure to draw attention and admiring comments when spotted on display in your home.

Dos Gatos Sentándose


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, Zapotec wood carvers

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Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico: A 14.5 inch Bowie knife in hand forged and tempered Toledo Steel

Looking for a gift for a woodsman/hunter/fisherman? Or do you want to add to your collection one of the very finest knives that money can buy? Angel Aguilar, master swordmaker in Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico, has hand forged, hand tempered, hand ground, polished and sharpened this 14.5 inch Bowie knife. The knife's overall length is 14.5 inches and the blade length is 10 inches. The hilt is tropical ironwood, also hand carved and polished. The guard is solid bronze, also hand forged and polished, and the knife is balanced with additional bronze added to both the guard and the pommel.

You can see Angel's craftsmanship and buy this or any other of his fine knives and swords at the Pale Horse Galleries online store. The specific page in the store catalog featuring all the Toledo steel knives, swords and cutlery is here. Or you can copy and paste this link: http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/index.php/cPath/5

Bowie Knife - 14.5" in Toledo Steel

If you have not already read all about Angel Aguilar and the 16th century Toledo Steel forging and tempering technology, you'll want to stop here at Mark in Mexico or here at the Pale Horse Galleries blog to read all about it. This blade making technique, responsible at one time for the finest knives and swords in the world, was introduced to the Zapotecs of Oaxaca by the Spanish conquistadors and the Benedictine Friars in the early 1500's, directly from Toledo, Spain.


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, knives, swords, cutlery, Toledo steel, Angel Aguilar, Ocotlan, Mexico

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Arrazola, Oaxaca, Mexico: Alebrije wood carving - Antelope del Sol

Here's another very nice piece from the father-daughter team of Zapotec artists, Felipe and Lucila Zarate. It's called "Antelope del Sol" or antelope of the sun, and would make not only a perfect gift but also a very fine, collectible piece of Mexican art.

Felipe has carved the antelope from native copal wood and daughter Lucila has painted it a rich peach and red color and added yellow and black horns.

A great example of Mexican Zapotec wood carving craftsmanship.

Antelope del Sol

You can buy this piece from Felipe and Lucila through our online store, Pale Horse Galleries. Just click on the link or copy and paste http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/. See catalog number PHG00509 in the Wood Sculptures section of the catalog.


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, Alebrije

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Ocotlan, Mexico: Toledo steel blades in knives, swords and cutlery

We've talked a bit about this fellow Angel Aguilar before, like here and here. I thought I'd feature a few more of his pieces of art today that would be perfect for a gift for that woodsman, hunter or fisherman on your list. And these knives and swords make great collectibles as well, because when these last few Zapotec artisans are gone, the Toledo steel making techniques, brought to 16th century Mexico by the Spanish conquistadors and Benedictine Friars, will probably disappear as well.

As you may already know if you followed the links above, Angel Aguilar uses 16th century Toledo steel making techniques to make the very finest hunting knives and collector's swords that money can buy. He also makes special cutlery, like carving and serving sets, that will last a lifetime.

You may find these fine Toledo steel products at the Pale Horse Galleries online store.

Angel Aguilar at his forge in Ocotlan

Carving Set with hand tooled and sewn leather holder

Angel Aguilar's shop in Ocotlan


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
Cross posted at Mark in Mexico

TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, Angel Aguilar, Toledo steel, knives and swords

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Arrazola, Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca: More from Lucila and Felipe Zarate

In the previous post, I said that Felipe and Lucila were father and daughter. He does the carving and she does the finish painting. Lucila was the one I met first, and I had several talks with her as I photographed her art. I was under the impression that she and Felipe were a husband and wife team, which is common among the Zapotec artists and wood carvers.

Oopsey daisy! She is his daughter, as became obvious the first time I was able to visit and photograph their workshop and little gallery. They do a really good job with cats, if you're a cat lover. These pieces are for the collector, for gifts or, for you if you just like cats.

Click on the name under the photo or the SKU numbers which follow the photos to quickly find the cats in the Pale Horse Galleries online store.

Gato Azul Sentándose - Blue Cat Takes a Seat

Gato Azul Extendiéndose - Blue Cat Stretching

Gato Dorado Sentándose - Golden Cat Seated

The SKU nmbers are:
Gato Azul Sentándose - Blue Cat Takes a Seat -- PHG00507
Gato Azul Extendiéndose - Blue Cat Stretching -- PHG00508
Gato Dorado Sentándose - Golden Cat Seated -- PHG00510

Felipe Zarate -- not Lucila's husband



Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
Cross posted at Mark in Mexico

TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, [tagname]

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Oaxaca, Mexico: A pair of fine wood carvers and painters from Arrazola

If you are looking for a collectible or a gift for someone, Lucila and Felipe Zarate from Arrazola can fix you right up. Take a look at this piece.

Grande Ciervo Azul

A "ciervo" is a stag, hence "Great Blue Stag" in the king's English. The SKU number is PHG00506 and you can find it by clicking on Grande Ciervo Azul, above, or by clicking on the SKU number.

Lucila and Felipe Zarate


A father and daughter team of Zapotec artists and their Grande Ciervo Azul. Felipe has been carving copal wood for some 25 years and his daughter has been painting his creations for about 15 years. I'm not sure who painted them before she started but it seemed an impolite question to ask, so I didn't.

Remember that each piece in the Pale Horse Galleries store is identified by the artist(s) who created it. I do not buy from consortiums, dealers, "artisans unions", markets or boutiques. If I cannot visit the artists in their workshops, watch them work and photograph them at work, I will not buy a piece nor offer pieces in the store.


Please visit the Pale Horse Galleries online store
for art, gifts and collectibles -- all hand made
by Mexican indigenous artists.
Thanks!
TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, [tagname]

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Oaxaca, Mexico: Nativity Scenes in copal, barro negro, barro rojo and natural

I found a display of nativity scenes, er, on display in the museum on the Zocalo. This is the former government palace which is still being identified that way by foreign media who don't know any better and by lefty media who seek to impress their readers with various anarchist movements. This building was abandoned by the government over a year ago and was opened as a museum last spring. It was invaded by APPO and the striking teachers and the museum's exhibits were partially destroyed.

Now that the PFP has given the museum back to the government, it is trying to recover. It was a bit breezy inside because none of the dozens of broken windows have been replaced yet, but they had done a pretty good job of cleaning it up.

There is some really nice stuff on display there. The artisans from San Martin
Tilcajete (copal wood), San Bartolo Coyotepec (barro negro - black clay), Santa Maria Atzompa (barro rojo - red clay) and a from couple of villages where they work with barro natural (a mixture of black and red clays) had brought their nativity scenes to the museum for display.

They have also brought them for sale but there were no buyers. So I took photos of most of the pieces and will present them to you on behalf of the artisans. The photos are not the best as far as photos go for a formal catalog, but because these displays could not be tampered with (moved around), I had to take the photos on an "as is where is" basis.

I also realize that it's a bit late in the game for nativity scenes, but that's the way it's been going down here.

Here we go:

Angelina Delfina Vasquez of Santa Maria Atzompa

This is a single piece sculpted from barro rojo, painted with glaze and then kiln-cured. The piece is roughly 13"x12"x16" high.
Its weight is about 5 lbs.

$3040.00

Adrian Xuana Luis of San Martin Tilcajete

There are 12 pieces in this scene. The pieces are about 3.5" high. They are hand carved in copal wood and hand painted.

$659.00

Alberto Tonatiuh Estrada of Oaxaca City

There are 12 pieces total here including the Star of Bethlehem and the comet's tail which serve as a platform for the nativity scene.
The pieces are about 17" high.
They are hand carved in copal wood and hand painted.

$1327.00

I've got a lot more but I'll have to add them later. I cannot go before you see this one, however.

You want a Nativity Scene? I'll give you a Nativity Scene.

Francisco Jaime Lopez Garcia of Santa Maria Atzompa

There are 23 pieces in barro rojo. Most of them are about 30" tall. The detail is astounding, down to the hair in the beards of Joseph, the shepherds and the Three Magi.

I asked the young man on the left to stand in so that you could get a better idea of the scope of this Nativity Scene. The grass on the floor and the cross in the foreground are not included.

$13,500.00

This price includes about $500 in packaging and $2000 in freight costs from Francisco's door to yours. These costs are estimated and could be a bit higher. I shouldn't think more than a few hundred dollars, however.

Cross posted at Mark in Mexico

TAGS: Oaxaca, Mexico, Oaxaca teachers strike, Pale Horse Galleries, gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, Nativity Scenes

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