A Guardian Between Worlds
In Mexican tradition, dogs are believed to guide souls safely through the afterlife — and this extraordinary skeleton dog, hand-carved and signed by master artist Antonio Blas, honors that sacred role with breathtaking artistry. A striking fusion of Día de los Muertos symbolism and Oaxacan folk art mastery, this is a piece that stops people in their tracks.
The Art of Oaxacan Wood Carving
Pronounced Wah-HAH-kan, these beloved carvings originate from tiny villages in the state of Oaxaca — homeland of the Zapotec people. Each figure is shaped from Copal wood harvested from the surrounding hills, carved with machetes and pocket knives, then hand-sanded and painted with extraordinary detail. A single piece can take up to a full week to complete.
The artists draw on myth, imagination, and the rich spiritual traditions of Southern Mexico to bring their figures to life — no two pieces are ever identical.
A Collector's Investment
Signed works by named Oaxacan artists are among the most sought-after pieces in the folk art world, and many have appreciated significantly in value over time. This is not just a decorative object — it is a signed original artwork.
- Dimensions: 8.5" high (tip of ears) × 3" wide (head) × 1" wide (body)
- Material: Hand-carved Copal wood
- Artist: Antonio Blas (signed)
- Theme: Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead
- Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico
- One-of-a-kind: No two pieces are alike