Vintage Mexican Folk Art ALEBRIJE Nahual Monkey wood carving Mexico Oaxaca

  

Vintage Mexican Folk Art ALEBRIJE wood carving Nahual / Nagual Monkey Man with incredible tail from San Martin Tilcajete, Mexico by Ramirez - first name is hard to make out. It's possible that it's "Manuel" but it's hard for me to read it clearly.

So, it could be a very early piece by Manuel Ramirez Jimenez but I'm not positive. This is a very old piece, probably from the 1950's or 60's. It is made with handmade wooden nails and metal ones. There is writing on each foot and on the bottom. I have carefully deciphered each word BUT unfortunately I'm unable to clearly read the first name of the artist but the last name is Ramiez.

Right Foot: Ocotlan de Morelos Oaxaca Left Foot: San Martin Tilcajete Ocotlan Oaxaca Bottom: first name? 12"L x 11.25"H x 8W. In the 1940's with the construction of the Pan-American Highway, Oaxaca opened up to tourism and folk art stores started to be seen in Oaxaca City and at the Monte Alban archeological site.

Then eventually this new art form caught on in neighboring towns. The Santiago family of wood carvers is from La Union which is a small isolated village in the mountains about 7.5 miles west of Oaxaca City.

Since La Union is so isolated it didn't attract tourism as much as the other towns and wood carving didn't develop as it did in Arrazola and Tijacajete so carving to this day is still considered a side job to farming which is the main source of income. This art form has gained international recognition and pieces are highly sought after by collectors.

He was holding something at one time but that is now missing. Please review all photos as part of the description. I'm open to offers.

The item "Vintage Mexican Folk Art ALEBRIJE Nahual Monkey wood carving Mexico Oaxaca" is in sale since Sunday, November 29, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Latin American\Mexico\Folk Art". The seller is "modernistcat" and is located in Seattle, Washington. This item can be shipped to United States.

1. Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
2. Provenance: Ownership History Not Available
3. Modified Item: No
4. Featured Refinements: Vintage Mexican Folk Art
5. Handmade: Yes