Ironwood Carvings and Accessories - View Catalog of Land Animals, Marine Life, Magnets, Keychains & Ornaments, or NEW ITEMS

Ironwood carving is a unique form of art from the Sonoran Desert of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. It is handcrafted from desert Ironwood, a very dense and heavy wood of intriguing origin. To be suitable for carving, the wood must be exposed to the extremes of the climatic conditions that exist only in the desert. Years of exposure in this hot, dry environment cause the natural resins to collect, condense and cure, thus transforming the wood into very dense and heavy Ironwood. The government has prohibited the harvesting of living Ironwood trees, and no green wood is suitable or used for carving. The artisans search extensively for naturally fallen trees. The wood is cut and gathered with government-issued permits. Ironwood carving is an unusually demanding art form originated by the Seri Indians, a small tribe that have dwelled in the great Sonoran Desert for thousands of years. Today, their descendants and other local villagers carry on this important cultural tradition. Once the wood has been gathered, each piece is hand crafted using very simple tools. It requires long hours of carving, hand sanding and polishing, plus an artistic "eye" to effectively capture the beautiful burl and distinctive grain inherent to Ironwood. The result of this handwork is that no two pieces are identical. There is a limited supply of true Ironwood and a diminishing number of carvers. It is possible that each carving may appreciate in value.

Our Ironwood carving collection includes numerous types, styles and sizes of animals.

Please call 800-386-9165 for sizes and prices.


(return to top)


Ironwood Lamps and Home Accents - View Catalog or NEW ITEMS

Incorporating the uniqueness and beauty of Desert Ironwood, we have developed a line of handcrafted Ironwood Lamps and Home Accents.

  • Ironwood table lamps consist of animal carvings that are mounted on rustic Ironwood base's. They are available in the larger table lamps (approximately 23 inches tall) or smaller vanity lamps (approximately 12 inches tall). Clip-on shades are included in the price of the vanity lamps while the shades for the table lamps are sold separately. Large lamps are assembled with three-way switches and include harps for shades. There are many different types and styles of animal lamps from which to choose.

  • Shades are available in two styles - Vinyl-laminated plain paper shades, animal silhouette paper shades and rawhide shades. All paper shades are hand laced on the top and bottom with rawhide lacing. Silhouette shades are extremely popular and the animal silhouettes are clearly visible when the lamp is illuminated.

  • Ironwood finials are available individually or can be ordered in a package combination with our new finial display (see update section). Ironwood finials are available in animal heads or figures.

  • Wrought Iron Lamps are handcrafted in Mexico and powder coated in the U.S. with a rust colored finish. The powder coating provides a unique and more durable finish than other wrought iron lamps. These lamps are especially attractive with the rawhide lamp shades.

Additional home accent products:

  • Ironwood bookends are very popular and are available in limited quantities. These handcrafted bookends are sold either in pairs of animal heads or complete animal figures (see photo samples). They are made primarily with rustic finished bases, but we do offer the Moose and Elk body bookends with a more traditional smooth finished base.

  • Ironwood desk clocks are a combination of carved Ironwood animal heads that are mounted on a standing rustic Ironwood base. They are available in two sizes and include battery-operated clock inserts.

  • Ironwood paper towel holders are vertical stand-alone holders that combine rustic Ironwood bases with an animal carving mounted on top. They are made to hold regular or jumbo paper towel rolls.

  • Ironwood napkin holders are a new item, which are made for kitchen counters or dining tables. They can also be ordered in pairs of animal heads or figures.

  • Ironwood candle holders are made for votive candles and include the votive glass. They are currently available in a rustic cylinder-shaped Ironwood base.

  • Kiva Ladders are handmade from Pine and are attractive as home decoratives or can be used for retail product displays. These ladders are made in 5 inch, 10 inch, 3 foot and 4 foot sizes.

Ironwood Lamps and Home Accents are available in numerous sizes and price ranges.

Please call 800-386-9165 for sizes and prices.

(return to top)


Oaxacan Wood Carvings - View Catalog

Oaxacan (pronounced Wa-Haw-Ken) wood carvings are whimsical and enchanting art figures that have captivated collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. These highly imaginative and brilliantly colored figures are totally hand-carved and painted in tiny villages in the Oaxacan Valley of Southern Mexico. Many of the carvers are descendants of the legendary and renowned Zapotec Indian Tribe of Oaxaca. Each figure is handmade from Copal wood, a soft regenerative wood that grows in abundance in the hills surrounding Oaxacan Valley, using machetes and pocket knives. Artists carve the basic shape of a figure in a few days, then hand sand and meticulously paint each piece in great detail. It can take up to a full week to complete one figure. The artists use fantasy and imagination in their painting to make the animals appear more alive. Full of movement and humor, Oaxacan wood carving is an authentic folk art. Each carving is unique. Carvings are signed by the artists and available in limited quantities. Appreciation in value is possible due to the high demand and uniqueness of this work. Many of these figures have become collectors' items. Narrative story cards are provided for each carving.

We continue to search the Oaxacan Valley to bring you the best quality carvings from the best artists. We are confident you will appreciate and enjoy the fine craftsmanship and exquisite detail of these carvings.

Oaxacan Wood Carvings are available in numerous sizes and price ranges.

Please call 800-386-9165 for sizes and prices.

(return to top)


Zapotec - View Rugs, Pillows or Placemats, Runners & Coasters or NEW ITEMS


Each item is an authentic Zapotec Indian Weaving.  They are 100% wool and totally hand-woven using classic Spanish floor looms.  The wool is spun and carded by hand, and then dyed in large pots over open fires.  Colors are mixed by hand from vegetable and aniline dyes.

Please call 800-386-9165 for sizes and prices.

(return to top)


Other Products- View Catalog

Please call 800-386-9165 for sizes and prices.