Pale Horse Galleries

Art of the Indians, or Indigenous peoples, of Mexico -- the Zapotec, Mixtec, Olmec, Maya, Aztec (Mexicas), Yaqui and Apache. One might refer to some of the pieces pictured here as "crafts". One would be wrong. The work that you will see represents these peoples' view of their world and everything in it. The making and selling of this art is these peoples' only means of supporting their families. It is all that they know how to do. As you will see, they do it very well.

Oaxaca Pale Horse Galleries art crafts gifts and collectibles from Mexican indigenous artists and artisans alebrijes wood carvings ceramics textiles http://palehorsegalleries.vstore.ca/

Sunday, February 25, 2007

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

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The Pale Horse

Saturday, February 24, 2007

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.

Pale Horse Galleries for Mexican arts and crafts. http//palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ Javelín by Zappotec artists Oscar Carrilo and Josefina Morales of Arrazola, Xoxocotlan. Oaxaca.
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.

Pale Horse Galleries for Mexican arts and crafts. http//palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ Josefina Morales painting another creation, an alebrije leopard, by Zapotec wood carver Oscar Carrillo.
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!

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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.

Pale Horse Galleries online store for gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts. http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ The Machete Costeño, by Angel Aguilar of Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico. This short sword is hand forged and hand tempered employeeing 16th century techniques and processes from Toledo Spain.
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!

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

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


Pale Horse Galleries for gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts. http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca The Machete Americano, a short sword, much like a cutlass, which doubled as a machete heavy enough to be used to hack through the mangrove common along America's southern coasts. Hand forged and hand tempered by Angel Aguilar, Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico.
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!


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The Pale Horse

Sunday, February 18, 2007

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.

Pale Horse Galleries online store for gifts, collectibles, Mexican art and crafts. http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ Ciervo Dorado by Fidencio and Elva Ojeda of Arrazola, Xoxocotlan, Mexico.
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/

Pale Horse Galleries online store for gifts, collectibles, Mexican art and crafts. http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ Fidencio Ojeda, Zapotec sculptor of wooden figures and alebrijes, at work with a new creation in Arrazola, Xoxocotlan, Mexico.
Fidencio Ojeda



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

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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.


For gifts, collectibles, Mexican art and crafts, visit Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ A 2 piece pie and cake serving set, hand forged by Angel Aguilar in Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico.
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/

For gifts, collectibles, Mexican art and crafts, visit Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ The church in Ocotlan de Morelos, Oaxaca, Mexico. Construction was started on this church by benedictine Friars in the early 1500's.
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!

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Saturday, February 17, 2007

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.

mark in Mexico, http://markinmexico.blogspot.com/, Pale Horse Galleries online store for gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/ Dos Gatos Sentándose (Two Cats Sitting) by Felipe and Lucila Zarate of Arrazola, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Dos Gatos Sentándose



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

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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

Mark in Mexico, http://markinmexico.blogspot.com, Pale Horse Galleries online store for gifts, collectibles and the finest in Mexican art and crafts, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, A 14.5 inch Bowie Knife, hand forged and tempered by Angel Aguilar, master swordmaker in Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico. This knife is the finest of its kind, hand forged and tempered using 16th century techniques introduced to the Zapotecs of Oaxaca by the Spanish conquistadors and Benedictine Friars directly from Toledo, Spain.
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!

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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.

Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, For gifts, collectibles, Mexican arts and crafts. 'Antelope del Sol by Zapotec srtists Felipe and Lucila Zarate of Arrazola, Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico. A hand carved and hand painted antelope in the distinctive Zapotec style.
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!

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The Pale Horse

Friday, February 16, 2007

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.

Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, gifts, collectibles and Mexican art and crafts, Angel Aguilar, master sword maker, at his forge in Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico
Angel Aguilar at his forge in Ocotlan


Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, gifts, collectibles and Mexican art and crafts, A 3 piece carving set by Angel Aguilar, master sword maker, Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico
Carving Set with hand tooled and sewn leather holder


Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, gifts, collectibles and Mexican art and crafts, A selection of steel blades, knives, swords and cutlery, all made using 16th century Toledo, Spain techniques, by Angel Aguilar, master sword maker, Ocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico
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

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Thursday, February 15, 2007

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.

For gifts, collectibles, arts and Mexican crafts, visit Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, Gato Azul Sentantodose -- Blue Cat Takes A Seat by Felipe and Lucila Zarate.
Gato Azul Sentándose - Blue Cat Takes a Seat


For gifts, collectibles, arts and Mexican crafts, visit Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, Gato Azul Extendiendose -- Blue Cat Stretching by Felipe and Lucila Zarate.
Gato Azul Extendiéndose - Blue Cat Stretching


For gifts, collectibles, arts and Mexican crafts, visit Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, Gato Dorado Sentantodose -- Golden Cat Seated by Felipe and Lucila Zarate.
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

For gifts, collectibles, arts and Mexican crafts, visit Pale Horse Galleries, http://palehorsemex.vstore.ca/, Felipe Zarate at work in Arrazola, Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico.
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

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The Pale Horse