Wood Carvings from Panama
Cocobolo wood carvings from the Wounaan of Panama are stunning works of art created from the richly grained cocobolo wood, a rare and beautiful hardwood native to Central America. These carvings reflect a profound respect for nature and carry deep cultural meaning, symbolizing the Wounaan’s connection to their rainforest environment.
Traditional, hand-carving techniques
Cocobolo wood carvings from the Wounaan of Panama are stunning works of art created from the richly grained cocobolo wood, a rare and beautiful hardwood native to Central America. The Wounaan artisans carefully select pieces of cocobolo for its vibrant colors—ranging from deep oranges and reds to dark browns—and intricate natural patterns.
Using traditional hand-carving techniques, they transform the wood into lifelike sculptures, often depicting the flora and fauna of the rainforest, including jaguars, birds, and butterflies, as well as symbolic shapes and figures.
Cultural heritage and sustainable craftsmanship
These carvings reflect a profound respect for nature and carry deep cultural meaning, symbolizing the Wounaan’s connection to their rainforest environment. The artisans apply a meticulous polishing process, which brings out the wood's natural luster, giving each piece a smooth, radiant finish.
Cocobolo carvings are highly valued worldwide for their artistry, durability, and beauty, embodying both cultural heritage and sustainable craftsmanship from Panama's rich biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
Jen and Ed collaborate closely with skilled weavers and their representatives in each country from which we source our pieces.
Through these direct relationships, we've established meaningful connections with artisans and trusted individuals who represent their countries and tribes with authenticity and respect. Every piece is thoughtfully selected and approved by us personally—whether we bring it back from an in-person visit with the artists or receive it through regular shipments from our trusted partners.
We honor the prices set by the weavers themselves, ensuring that every commissioned basket is truly “fairly traded.”
Our artist-patron approach is built on direct, supportive relationships with weavers and their families, supporting them consistently through the months, and sometimes years, it takes to create each museum-quality basket. We believe that artisans should be compensated promptly for their work, without undue delay.
These skilled weavers are knowledgeable about the value of their craft in U.S. dollars and understand the worth of their time and talent. The growing number of men joining the weaving community shows the art’s increasing value compared to other forms of work. In fact, some weavers now command thousands of dollars for their finest pieces, reflecting the respect and value placed on their craftsmanship.
Purchase woven art because you love it, not simply for its potential to appreciate in value. However, as demand grows for high-quality, handcrafted basketry and supply remains naturally limited, prices have been rising substantially year after year.
We can gain insight into the future value of woven art by looking at trends with vintage and antique Native American baskets, which often fetch thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. A collectible work of art gains value based on market perceptions of its uniqueness, cultural significance, and craftsmanship, both now and in the future.
There is a limited number of skilled weavers capable of producing fine basketry, and even fewer who are true masters of this art. If weaving skills are not passed down through generations, and supplies of raw materials are affected by environmental challenges, previously made baskets could become even more valuable over time.
