Alebrijes

Jaguar alebrije with deer antlers

Attributed by the family Felipe Linares Vargas

Descriptive title, pending confirmation by the artist

A black-headed feline with red ears and curved tusks, crowned by deer antlers that open like the branches of a tree. The jaguar-spotted body in ochre and black extends into bat wings painted red with white veins; the green, scaled claws end in ivory nails. A long vermilion tongue emerges between the fangs, in the tradition of the Linares family’s alebrijes: creatures that gather parts of several animals in a single body.

Context

The piece shows how Mexico City cartonería combines volumetric modeling with meticulous pattern painting: spots, scales, veins and fur are all resolved by brush on the paper surface. Workshop photographs of a piece of this same design before its final finish are included to help appreciate the process.

Object details

Maker

Felipe Linares Vargas

Year

To be confirmed

Materials and technique

Traditional cartonería: paper and cardboard modeled over an armature, paste, paint and gloss finish. Technical details to be confirmed with the artist.

Dimensions

To be confirmed

Availability

To be confirmed