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.