Cocobolo Carved Guardian Figurines
Handcrafted in Panama
Tall carved guardian figures with a male and female form that act as protectors to the home. Carved out of single pieces of the prized cocobolo wood, these figures were created by celebrated carver Selerino Cheucarama.
The dense, rich reddish exotic rosewood with penetratingly deep, dark veins that the Wounaan of the Darién Province of Panamá call cocobolo—a hallmark of most Selerino sculptures—has been difficult to find in the Darién for many years, he explains, for it has been desired by many cultures, including foreign timber companies, whose wholesale clear-cutting has made inroads into much of the sacred Darién Rainforest. Increasingly environmentally aware Wounaan leaders encourage not only reforesting, but also cautious harvesting of remaining rare woods. Selerino makes regularly forays into the surrounding rainforest to locate “downed” cocobolo—sometimes stumps protruding from the river or washed up on its banks, or remains of trunks hidden beneath a tangle of jungle growth.
Product Details:
| Dimensions | 5' high |
| Origin | Hand carved in Panama |
| Artisan | Wounaan carver Selerino Cheucarama |
| Materials | Cocobolo Wood |
| Uniqueness | One of a kind |
| SKU | OBDP-004 |
Hand-carved from dense, richly grained cocobolo rosewood, these animal sculptures are a signature art form of Wounaan men in eastern Panama. Each piece begins with rough shaping by hatchet, then refined through hours of hand-sanding and polishing to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. The final form—whether jaguar, toucan, or turtle—is shaped entirely by one artisan, making every carving one of a kind.
Carving is both tradition and livelihood. Skills are passed down through families, and nothing is wasted: even the shavings are repurposed to dye basket fibers a deep brown or near black. These carvings reflect a balance of form and material—an art rooted in the forest, shaped by memory, and meant to be held.
Color is drawn entirely from nature: seeds, roots, berries, bark, and leaves provide a palette that ranges from subtle earth tones to vibrant reds, greens, and black. The result is a woven form of storytelling—art that carries cultural knowledge, natural beauty, and generations of technique.
Hand carved in panama by
Wounaan Cocobolo Carvers
No. of ArtisansOver a dozen carvers |
OriginDarien Province, Panama |
Fairly Made. Community Driven.
Each carving is purchased directly from the artist at fair prices that support families, preserve tradition, and sustain local economies.
