Maximino Santiago, a wood carver in La Union, Oaxaca made this stag reading in a chair ornament for Modela.

Each one of these reading animals has text on the inside of the book written in Spanish. The text translates to “You only live once” in English.

A tiny silver eye screw is embedded into the top so all you need is a traditional metal hook to attach to a Christmas tree branch. Also, the stag is free standing to display all year round.

Maximino is an excellent carver that we visit twice a year. His family members paint the animals. He farms when he’s not carving so it’s also interesting to see what he is growing when you visit. La Union is a rural town about 45-60 minutes from Oaxaca depending on road conditions. The Santiago family is a large extended family of wood carvers that live there.

Purchased directly from Maximino this March.  

Size: 3.25” tall x 2” deep