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Fetishes

Fetishes, in the Native American world, are man-made objects that usually represent an animal. The Zuni Indians from New Mexico are world famous for their stone animal fetish carvings. Each animal is believed to have inherent powers or qualities that may aid the owner of the fetish. Typically Zuni carvings depict animals such as the wolf, badger, bear, mountain lion, eagle, mole, frog, deer, ram, and others. Other animals, such as the horse, were carved mainly for trade. There are many more subjects contemporary carvers may make including some insects, reptiles, dragonflies and butterflies, water spiders, and lizards.

Besides being made from various stones and other materials, the contemporary fetish may carry an offering of a smaller animal or carved arrowheads with small beads of heishe. The animal may be adorned with a heishe necklace, feathers, etchings representing ancient petroglyphs, or an etched or inlayed heartline. An arrowhead on the back or side of an animal represents protection for a warrior against being taken by surprise by his enemy. A Zuni Indian hunter would place his chosen fetish in a buckskin bag which he carried over his heart.

The materials used by carvers were mostly common to the region or obtained by trade. The most important of these materials was turquoise which is considered by the Zuni as the sacred stone. Jet, shell, and coral are also frequently used. Other materials used are Zuni rock, fishrock, jasper, pipestone, and marble. But historically the most-used stone has been serpentine, a local soft stone found abundantly in the Zuni Mountains and also in Arizona. In recent years Zuni carvings, or fetishes, have become popular collectibles and Zuni artisans have utilized materials. FREE SHIPPING.

BEAR-FETISH-TURQ02

Miniature turquoise fetish bear with carvings to represent the hair, 7/8" long by 3/4" tall shown standing on a quarter. $30

BEAR-FETISH-TURQ03

Miniature turquoise fetish bear with carvings to represent the hair, 15/16" long by 1/2" tall shown standing on a quarter. $25

carved turquoise bear fetish

BEAR-FETISH-TURQ04

Miniature turquoise fetish bear, by Andres Quam, Zuni, 7/8" long by 1/2" tall shown standing on a quarter. $30

beaver fetish

BEAVER-FETISH-SERPENTINE

Serpentine beaver with turquoise eyes and arrowhead offering. 2 1/4" long by 3/4" wide by 3/4" tall. $45

coyote fetish

COYOTE-FETISH-DOLOMITE

Wily coyote carved out of dolomite with dolomite arrowhead offering on its back. 4 1/8" long by 1 1/8" tall by 1/2" wide. Signed "g.l", may be Gilbert Lonjose. $45

horned toad fetish

HORNED-TOAD-FETISH-JET

Black jet horned toad on a rock with turquoise eyes, 2 1/8" long by 1 1/8" wide by 7/8" tall. $45

turquoise squirrel

SQUIRREL-FETISH-TURQ

Darling little squirrel carved from turquoise with a baby squirrel on its back! 1 7/8" long by 3/4" tall by 3/8" wide. $38

porcupine fetish

PORCUPINE-FETISH-SERPENTINE

Sweet little porcupine carved from serpentine rock with turquoise eyes. It measures 1 3/4" long by 7/16"" tall by 5/8" wide. $38

carved turquoise bear fetish

BEAR-FETISH-TURQ05

Miniature turquoise fetish bear with carvings to represent the hair, 1" long by 3/4" tall shown standing on a quarter. $35

BEAR-FETISH-ALABASTER-RED06

Miniature fetish bear made of alabaster with turquoise eyes and red arrowhead on back attached with sinew, 1" long by 3/4" tall shown standing on a quarter. $21

BEAR-FETISH-ALABASTER-PURPLE07

Miniature fetish bear made of alabaster with turquoise eyes and purple arrowhead on back attached with sinew, 1" long by 3/4" tall shown standing on a quarter. $21

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