Te huana & Chavvo Oaxaco Handcarved Vintage Figurines Mexico 9” 1950-70’s For Sale

Formed from a single piece of wood by hand, I’m guessing in the 1940’s, these stunning figures came from an estate sale in central Arizona but originate from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca, Mexico. She: This figure appears to represent a woman in the traditional Tehuana costume, originating from the I This style of dress is an iconic symbol of Zapotec culture and was popularized worldwide by artists such as Frida KahloTehuana FiguresThese sculptures are typically pieces of Mexican folk art. They frequently depict market vendors or ceremonial figures, highlighting the elaborate huipil (embroidered blouse) and the characteristic long skirt of the regional dress.He: In a broader sense, chavo is slang for kid or young man. In Mexican folk art, male figurines—like the one in your image—often depict a young campesino (peasant) or vaquero (cowboy).Traditional Attire: These figures typically feature a sombrero, a serape or poncho slung over the shoulder, and simple white or tan clothing.Craftsmanship: Vintage versions are frequently hand-carved from copal wood (similar to the famous Oaxacan Alebrijes) or molded from clay and hand-painted by regional artisansThese specific types of mid-century Mexican tourist folk art carvings were most commonly produced between the 1950s and 1970s.During this era, artisans in regions like Michoacán, Oaxaca, and Jalisco created millions of stylized wooden figurines depicting local indigenous communities, campesinos, and traditional regional clothing for the booming post-war tourism market. The stylized, elongated proportions of the figures combined with a raw wood stain finish are textbook characteristics of this mid-20th-century decorative art period.