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.
Red marble bighorn sheep by Andres Quandelacy
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Native American Zuni fetish carving of a bighorn sheep, made of a red marble with coral inlay eyes and heart line design. This fetish was handmade by Zuni artist Andres Quandelacy. Each fetish is handmade, and the color of the turquoise may vary slightly from the picture.Â
Bighorn sheep are a game animal to the Zuni, and these fetishes are carved to help in hunting these animals for food and clothing.
Measurements: It is 2 1/4" wide, 1 3/8" tall, and 1/2" deep at the widest part (horns).
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 1/2" long, 1" wide (wing to wing), and 1 5/8" tall.
Lizard fetish by Bernie Laselute, Picasso marble
Lizard fetish by Zuni artist Bernie Laselute, made of Picasso marble, with turquoise inlay eyes. Artist's name is carved on the bottom.
Lizards are quick, agile, and survivors, and a symbol of the desert.
Measurements: 2 1/4" wide, 5/8" tall, and 7/8" deep
Black marble elephant by Calvert Bowannie
Elephant fetish by Calvert Bowannie, made of black marble, with inlay turquoise eyes. Signed on the bottom. Carving of elephant might vary slightly from the photo.
Elephants 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. Elephants are said to have good memories.
Measurements: It is 1 1/4" tall, 2 1/2" long, and 3/4" wide.
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 It is 5/8" tall, 1 1/2" wide, and 3/4" deep.
Javelina fetish, Picasso marble, by Bernie Laselute
Javelina fetishes by Bernie Laselute, made of Picasso marble with inlay turquoise eyes. This is his representation of the southwestern Javelina. Love this stance on this little javelina.
Colors vary from photos.
Javelinas 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: It measures 2 wide, 5/8" deep, and 1" tall.
Skunk fetish by Calvert Bowannie, black marble and mother of pearl
Skunk fetish by Zuni artist Calvert Bowannie, made of black marble, with inlay mother of pearl for the white markings, and inlay turquoise eyes. Signed on the bottom.
Skunk carvings are not used in Zuni religious traditions, but the artists like to carve all different animals as a challenge, and as an example of the carvers' ingenuity, skill, and adaptability.
Measurements: It measures 2" long, 3/4" tall, and just over 1/2" wide.
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 It is 1 7/8" wide, 1" tall, and 3/4" deep.
Moose fetish by Andres Quandelacy, turquoise
Zuni moose fetish, made of turquoise with inlay coral eyes. This fetish was handmade by Zuni artist Andres Quandelacy, who is part of a famous family of Zuni carvers going back many generations. This is a fabulous carving and a good example of his style.
Moose or large animals are a game animal to the Zuni, and these fetishes are carved to help in hunting these animals for food and clothing.
Measurements: Â 1 7/8"wide, 1 1/8" tall, and 1/4" deep at the widest part
Ladybug fetish by Georgia 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 Georgia Quandelacy.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: It is 1" wide by 5/8" deep, and about 1/4" tall.
Pig fetish by Enrike Leekya, Picasso marble
Zuni pig fetish, by artist Enrike Leekya, made of Picasso marble with turquoise snout and hooves, and inlay turquoise eyes. Artist's signature is on the bottom.
Fetishes of domesticated animals like goats are used to protect their herds and flocks from disease, injury, and death, or to help increase the numbers of their animals.
Measurements: Â It is 1 3/4" tall, 2 5/8" wide, and 1 1/4" deep.
Turtle fetish by Andrew Quam, jet and turquoise
Zuni turtle fetish, made of black jet with inlay turquoise, coral, and mother of pearl. It has raised dot inlay coral on the shell and eyes. Native American Made. This fetish was handmade by Zuni artist Andrew Quam, and is signed on the bottom.
Turtles represent longevity, are a rain-bringing fetish, and serve as links to the Zuni ancestors.
Measurements: It is 1" wide, 1 3/8" long, and 3/8" tall.
Fetishes
