Zuni Fetishes
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The following fetishes are from Zuni, New Mexico. They are all individual carved from stone, shell, glass ,etc. Below is just a sampling of what we carry. If you are looking for a specific animal or artist please contact us.
Raven with berry fetish by Calvert Bowannie
Native American Zuni fetish carving of a raven or crow with a berry in its mouth, made of black marble with turquoise inlay eyes and a coral berry. This fetish was handmade by Zuni artist Calvert Bowannie and is signed on the bottom.Â
Bird fetishes were thought to carry prayers to the sky asking for rain and blessings. Ravens represent magic, they are the messengers of the great mystery, and they are tricksters but without the negative characteristics.
Measurements: 1 3/8" wide, 1" deep (wing to wing), and 1 1/2" tall.
Balancing racoon fetish by Ruben Najera
Raccoon fetish by Ruben Najera, made of shed antler. The artist's signature is on the bottom, as well as "Zuni."Â The raccoon is shown balancing on a log, and its curved pose was inspired by the natural shape of the antler.Â
Raccoons are not used in Zuni religious ceremonies, but they are one of the animals from around the world that Zuni fetish carvers make, to showcase their creativity, ingenuity, and skill.
Measurements: 3 1/8" tall, about 1 5/8" wide, and 7/8" deep.
Horned toad fetish by Bernie Laselute
Horned toad Zuni fetish, made by Bernie Laselute, made of Picasso marble with inlay turquoise eyes. Native American made. It has great detail, especially in the face, and it is signed "B Laselute" on the bottom.
Horned toads represent self-reliance and longevity. They protect ancestral bounty and they are the protectors from lightning. Referred to as Grandfather.
Measurements:Â 1/2" tall, 1 1/2" wide, and 7/8" deep.
Rabbit going into log fetish by Arvella Cheama
Zuni fetish carving of a rabbit going into a hollow log, made of Picasso marble. Bunny has inlay turquoise eyes. Native American Made. This fetish was handmade by Zuni artist Arvella Cheama, and is signed on the bottom.Â
Rabbits are a symbol of fertility, abundance, and are known for facing fear.
Measurements:Â 2 1/4" wide, 1 1/4" tall and 1 1/8" deep.
White bird fetish by Evalena Boone - alabaster
Zuni fetish carving of a white bird, handmade by Native American artist Evalena Boone.  It is made of alabaster with inlay turquoise eyes. The detail in the feathers is beautiful. This fetish is unsigned, but we buy directly from the artist so we always know who makes each piece.
Bird fetishes were thought to carry prayers to the sky asking for rain and blessings.
Measurements: 1" tall, 2 1/4" wide, and 1/2" deep.
Badger fetish with medicine bundle by Evalena Boone, marble
Zuni badger fetish, made of black marble, with inlay turquoise eyes and a turquoise bead and mother of pearl arrowhead medicine bundle. Native American Made by artist Evalena Boone. This badger has a very sweet face.
Badgers symbolize strength, power. The medicine bundle is an offering to the animal's spirit that amplifies the power of the fetish.
Measurements: 1" tall, 2 1/4" wide, and 1 1/8" deep.
Big mouth bass fetish by Bernie Laselute, Picasso marble
Zuni fetish carving of a big mouth bass, hand carved from Picasso marble, with inlay turquoise eyes. Native American Made. This fetish was handmade by Zuni artist Bernie Laselute, and it is signed on the bottom. Great movement to the fish, and a funny piece of fisherman humor. Colors may vary slightly from photo.
Big mouth bass are not a traditional Zuni fetish, but fish in general are an important symbol to the Zuni for their association with water, which is essential for all life on earth.
Measurements:Â 1 1/2" wide, 7/8" tall, and 3/4" deep.
Ladybug fetish by Georgette Quam, black and red marble
Zuni ladybug fetish, made of red and black marble, with inlay turquoise eyes and black inlay dots. This fetish was handmade by Zuni artist Georgette Quam.Â
Ladybugs are a token of good luck, and while they are not used in traditional Zuni religious ceremonies, Zuni carvers make ladybugs to showcase their ingenuity and skill.
Measurements: 1" wide by 3/4" deep, and 3/8/4" tall.
Baby Frog fetish by Michael Coble, picasso marble
Zuni fetish baby frog or toad, made of picasso marble, with inlay turquoise eyes. Native American made, handmade by Zuni artist Michael Coble, and the bottom is signed with his name, "Zuni N.M." and carvings of tadpoles. The beautiful picasso marble and finely carved textures make this frog very lifelike.
Toads and frogs are associated with rain, abundance, water, and fertility, and they bring the rain, which is essential to all life on earth.
Measurements: 1 1/4" wide, 1 1/2" deep, and 7/8" tall.
Jackalope fetish by Bernie Laselute, Picasso marble
Jackalope Zuni fetish by Bernie Laselute, made of Picasso marble with natural turquoise eyes. Has a lot of detail, a very cute carving. Signed on the bottom. Markings and colors on the stone may vary slightly from photo.
Jackalopes are mythical creatures that are jackrabbit/antelope hybrids, and they are examples of non-traditional animals that Zuni fetish carvers make, to showcase their creativity, ingenuity, and skill.
Measurements: 7/8" tall, 1 7/84" wide and 3/4" deep.
Killer whale/orca fetish by Calvert Bowannie
Orca killer whale Zuni fetish, made of black marble, with inlay mother of pearl markings and inlay turquoise eyes. Native American Made. Handmade by artist Calvert Bowannie, and signed on the bottom. An unusual Zuni fetish, since whales are not traditional, but a very cute example of a Shamu whale.
Whales are not traditionally used in Zuni religious ceremonies, but their association with water is significant, because to the Zuni water is very important and sacred. Zuni carvers make fetishes of animals from all around the world, as examples of their creativity and skill.
Measurements: 1" tall, 1 3/4" wide, and 1 3/8" deep.
Penguin fetish by Calvert Bowannie, black marble and turquoise
Zuni fetish carving of a penguin, handmade by Native American artist Calvert Bowannie. It is made of black marble, with turquoise inlay on the penguin's chest, and inlay turquoise eyes. Signed on the bottom by the artist.
Penguins are not used in Zuni religious ceremonies, but they are one of the animals from around the world that Zuni fetish carvers make, to showcase their creativity, ingenuity, and skill.
Measurements: 1 3/8" tall, 1" wide, and 5/8" deep.
Fetishes
