Kolowisi sea serpent fetish by Terrance Martza, serpentine with turquoise
Zuni fetish sea monster serpent, made of white serpentine, with turquoise, mother of pearl, coral, and jet accents. This fetish was handmade by Zuni artist Terrance Martza, and is signed on the bottom. It has turquoise chips for the "water" that the serpent is coming out of, and turtle and dragonfly figures, which are also traditional Zuni water symbols. The serpent has feathers on its head, a mother of pearl tablita headdress, and raised turquoise inlay for its eyes and scales along its body. This is a unique fetish that is very cleverly done.
It measures 4 7/8" wide at the widest part, 4" deep, and 1 1/2" tall.
Kolowisi is the sea serpent of Zuni legend, who saved the Zuni from a flood. Water animals like the ones on this fetish are associated with rain, which is precious to the desert-dwelling Zuni and essential to all life on earth.