Insects

The Navajo women tell us they learned how to weave from Grandmother Spider and we would guess that many Indigenous women around the world would say the same thing.  Michael Coble carved this one from Picasso marble and inlaid turquoise eyes.  "Michael Coble" and "Zuni" are engraved on the bottom.  More about spiders below.

Size: .375" H x 2.25" L x 1.5" W

There are many stories throughout the Americas about Grandmother Spider.  In Navajo tradition, Grandmother Spider taught the people to weave.  In Cherokee culture, Grandmother Spider brought light to the world by stealing it from the other side of Mother Earth and also brought fire to the people.  Spiders have an important role in the sacred system of life and are respected by Indigenous people around the world.

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 beautiful butterfly was made by Cheryl Beyuka.  Jet, turquoise, apple coral, and mother of pearl are inlaid on to jet.  It is signed on the back.  We have several of these and each one has the same stones, but different combinations of the pattern.  We will pick out the best for you!  Value $108.00

Size: .125" H x 1.25" L x 1.75" W

Butterflies begin their lives as caterpillars, crawling around and munching on leaves.  They then go through a dramatic transformation inside the cocoons that they make for this purpose.  They emerge as creatures of the air and flight.  For many Native American people, planting specific seeds and harvests revolve around when butterflies emerge or depart.  They also symbolize transformation because they go through such huge changes.

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.