Elephant

An exquisite 'nahual' (pronounced [na'wal]) wood carving by artists Jesus and Roxana Hernandez of Oaxaca, Mexico. This imposing piece took 3 months to carve and paint. Decorated in their characteristic 'scale' pattern, it has skilfully inset glass eyes. According to pre-hispanic traditions, a nahual is a human being who has the power to transform either spiritually or physically into an animal form. They are seen as protectors of the people and the natural resources. Dimensions: 17cm (w) x 36cm (d) x 35cm (h) Weight: 1.2kg

Distinctively decorated in purple and blue, this 'alebrije' has the face of a monkey and the body of a dog! Dimensions: 3cm (w) x 7cm (d) x 9cm (h) Weight: 0.04kg