Bears

These bear carving pendants were made by Zuni carver, Darrin Boone.  Eyes and mouth are inlaid turquoise and/or jet.  On one side, each one has a Sunface made of inlaid red spiny oyster shell, turquoise, Mother of Pearl, and jet.  The other side has an arrowhead:

Mother of Pearl -Pink Mussel Shell

Pink Mussel Shell - Mother of Pearl

They are wrapped in sterling silver wire.

Size: 1.125" H x 1.25" L

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

We can imagine what this bear is saying with its mouth slightly open! "Hey you" comes to mind. Delvin Leekya carved it from travertine and inlaid turquoise eyes...yes, to see you better. The offering bundle is an abalone arrowhead with turquoise on top. Its jet feet are grounded to Mother Earth. More about bears below.

Size: 2.25" H x 3" L x 1" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo. They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months. In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal. Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This happy dance bear jet by Claudia Peina is sure to make you smile!  It dances on one leg and has a smile on its sweet face.  It is embellished with seven inlaid turquoise dots and eyes.  The "hand" paws are detailed.  We think that dancing with the bear around the house will help lessen any blues!

Size: 3.25" H x 1.75" W x .5" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This happy bear looks filled with gratitude as it holds its fish and looks upward.  It was carved by Freddie Leekya from travertine and has inlaid turquoise eyes and snout.  The fish is shimmering Mother of Pearl with detailed fin and tail.  More about bears below.

Size: 2.25" H x 1.5" L x 1.25" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Some faces are just made for kindness and we think this little bear by Reynold Lunasee has one of those faces.  The bear is carved of pink dolomite and it has bright blue turquoise eyes.  "Lunasee" and "Zuni" are engraved on the bottom

Size: .75" H x .75" L x .675" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Bernard Laiwekete carved this wild looking bear from bowlerite, which is recycled bowling balls.  He inlaid turquoise eyes, and a double heartline.  The "stone" is highly dimensional on both sides and it would be easy to get lost in the layers!  "BL" and "Zuni" carved into bottom

Size: 1.375" H x 3.25" L x 1" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This bold bear was carved by Daphne Quam from striking Egyptian marble.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes and an offering bundle with a pink mussel shell arrowhead with turquoise beads on top.

Size: 2" H x 2" L x .5" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Enrike Leekya carved the big bear from travertine and the little bear from gold-lip Mother of Pearl.  They both have inlaid turquoise eyes and noses, and detailed faces, and tails.  The little bear has an offering of a turquoise arrowhead and stands on the offering of a black-lip Mother of Pearl arrowhead. 

Size: 2.25" H x 2.875" L x .875" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Andres Quandelacy created this lucky fishing bear with a turquoise fish in its mouth.  It is carved from shimmering gold lip Mother of Pearl.  It has inlaid bright blue turquoise eyes, and the fur is beautifully detailed all the way around.

Size: 1" H x 1.75" L x .375" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Kenny Chavez carved this strong standing bear from travertine.  He inlaid silver eyes and a bold silver heartline.  It appears to be searching the heavens...perhaps for a sign?  More about bears below.

Size: 2.25" H x 1.875" L x .25" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This family of five while marble bears were carved by Tim Lementino.  Each one has inlaid turquoise eyes and an offering bundle of turquoise and heishi beads. 

Size: 1.125" H x 1.5" L x 1.25" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Herbert Halata carved this big walking bear from marble.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes and detailed face, paws, and fur.  The offering bundle is a long, narrow turquoise.  It feels so good in the hand, very strong.

Size: 3.75" L x 1.25" H x 1.25" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Bernard Laiwakete carved this courageous bear from bowlerite, which is from recycled bowling balls...cool, right?   He inlaid a strong turquoise heartline and eyes.  The bowlerite is slightly translucent and show depth of the swirls.

Size: 1.25" H x 3" L x .5" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This little moss green serpentine bear was carved by Craig Haloo.  He inlaid turquoise eyes and an offering bundle.  It stands on an arrowhead carved from catlinite.  Its nose is lifted...does it smell something delicious?  More about bears below.

Size: .75" H x 1" L x .875" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This big happy alabaster bear is holding a pot with a flower engraved on the front by Rickson Kallestewa.  It has inlaid jet eyes, nose, mouth, and claws, and a jet arrowhead offering bundle.  As with all of Rickson's carvings, the back, legs and face have well rounded curves.  It has been well loved for many years in the personal collection of the owner of Gathering Tribes.

Size: 4.75" H x 2.5" L x 1.675" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.