FETISHES -- A fetish is an animal carving, usually made of stone or shell. It is said to house the spirit or supernatural qualities of that animal. Zuni fetish carvers maintain that if you believe in the power of the fetish to bring good luck, it probably will. Sometimes we know the name of the carver, and have indicated same.

Bird sitting on arrowhead is carved from glass slag, a modern material for the carvers. This bird is carved by Lena Boone, Zuni.
Bird measures 2 1/2" long and 1" wide.
Sells for $39.00

This glass slag material is very hard to carve and polish. Lena Boone designed this large 4" bear from a great piece of slag.
It is 2" tall and 3/4" thick with a pink mussell shell arrowhead and turquoise tied on for good luck.
Bear sells for $75

A nicely carved jet bear. With his medicine bundle for good luck, bear measures 3 1/2" long and 1" wide.
Bear sells for $30.

Bear is carved from alabaster. He has quite the expression with his blue eyes. He carries a nice medicine bundle for good health and healing.
Bear with long nose measures 2 1/2' long and 1/2" wide.
Sells for $32.

The north is associated with the mountain lion. The mountain lion fetish is used by hunters in the taking of game. It also protects the carriers on their journey. Mountain lion is carved from bright orange alabaster, with the turquoise health line.
He measures 4 1/2" long, 1" wide and 2" tall.
Sells for $60.

Frog is a favorite carving and this one is exceptional by Dinah Gasper. Frog has a medicine bundle of shell, turquoise and red coral, but his expression says it all. The stone of Picasso marble is darker than the photo.
Frog measures 4" long 2 1/2" wide and almost 2" tall.
Quite a piece of work for $175.

Small bear is perfect for the pocket. His heart line is inlaid with turquoise and mother of pearl with turquoise eyes. Bear was carved by Andy Abeita.
He measures 1 3/4" long and 1" wide and is signed on the bottom.
Bear sells for $49.

A nice piece of alabaster stone was used to carve this ram. He carries a unique medicine bundle of shell, turquoise, Picasso marble and feathers. Ram was carved by Andy Abeita.
He measures 2 3/4" long, 2" tall and 1" wide with inlaid turquoise eyes.
Ram sells for $75.

An intricately carved badger from Picasso Marble. It is signed NY. The badger fetish helps medicine men and shamans locate healing herbs and roots.
Badger measures 2 3/4" long, 1" wide, and 3/4" tall.
Sells for $55.

Two beautifully carved fetishes that you can wear on a chain or leather necklace. The bear on the left has a great carved face. He measures 1 1/2" long and 3/4" tall. The sterling silver loop on top is another inch.
Turtle is a wonderful piece of Picasso marble with silver eyes. Turtle measures 1 1/4" long and 1/2" tall with a 1/2" sterling silver loop.

Two great amber animals. Coyote is inlaid with a turquoise heartline and eyes. Abby Quam carved coyote.
He measures 1 1/4" tall and 1/2" at the bottom..
Buffalo on the right is signed W for Todd Westika, '94, Zuni, N.M. Buffalo is well carved with turquoise eyes and mother of pearl horns.
He measures 1 1/2" long and 3/4" tall including base.

Long horn ram is well carved from a good chunk of jet (polished lignite coal). Ram has red coral inlaid eyes.
He measures 2" long, 1 1/2" tall and almost 1" wide.
Ram sells for $75.

Nicely carved Picasso marble badger by Karen Zunie. Badger hugs the ground at 1 1/2" long and 1" wide.
Great detail with turquoise eyes.
Badger sells for $75.

Todd Etsate carved this chunk of amber to resemble a badger.
It measures 1 1/4" long and 1" wide.
Badger sells for $30.

Alex Tsethlikee carved a large chunk of amber to be a crouched down bear. Bear has turquoise eyes.
Bear measures 2 1/2" long, 1 1/4" wide and 1/2" thick (tall). .
Bear sells for $105.

Quite a nice selection of white pieces. First horse is mother of pearl, carved by Avery Quandelacy. Horse measures 1 1/2" long, 1" tall, and has black inlaid eyes.
Small horse has a heartline, turquoise eyes and measures 1 1/2" long and 1" tall.
Butterfly is carved from mother of pearl with inlaid dots of red coral, turquoise and jet.
Butterfly measures 1 1/2" wide by 1 1/4". Butterfly was carved by Cheryl Beyuka.
Nice chunk of white alabaster carved by Lee Chavez is a beaver.
Beaver has turquoise eyes, chunks of turquoise and coral on his tail. Beaver measures 1 3/4" long, 1 /2" tall and 3/4" thick. .