Reptiles

This big blue sodalite frog by Ronnie Lunasee has four turquoise "rain drops" on its back and turquoise eyes.  The stone is midnight blue with patches and streaks of white.  It feels so good in the hand!

Size: 1.125" H x 2.5" L x 1.75" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and are able to be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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 catlinite frog with turquoise eyes appears intent on something.  We figure it is intently calling the rain.  It is well detailed with its little toes and legs!  It was in a collection of carvings from fifteen years ago that we rediscovered during our move this year. Unfortunately, the tag with the name of the carver disappeared long ago.

Size: .375" H x .875" L x .75" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and, afterward can be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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 chubby horned toad was carved by Kent Banteah from serpentine.  It has blue eyes and is well detailed all over!  It crouches on a base of alabaster.  It's a bit rough, but very charming.

Size: .375" H x 1.5" L x 1" W, Base is .25" H x 1.875" L x 1.125" W

Horned toads are thorny lizards with a fat body and very short tail.  If they feel attacked they can puff up to look bigger and their spiky scales can make them look like too much work to eat.  They can also shoot blood out of their eyes up to 5 feet when threatened.  If you are looking for something to symbolize nonviolent protection, the horned toad may do the trick!

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 chunky catlinite horned toad was carved by Gilbert Lonjose.  It has been keeping the garden the free from insects which gave it its wide girth.  It is very detailed and feels very good in the hand!  It has been well loved for many years in the personal collection of the owner of Gathering Tribes.

Size: .75" H x 2.25" L x 1.5" W

Horned toads are thorny lizards with a fat body and very short tail.  If they feel attacked they can puff up to look bigger and their spiky scales can make them look like too much work to eat.  They can also shoot blood out of their eyes up to 5 feet when threatened.  If you are looking for something to symbolize nonviolent protection, the horned toad may do the trick!

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.

Zuni carver, Phyllis Panteah, carved this fancy frog from marble and inlaid gold lip Mother of Pearl eyes.  The colorful raindrops are inlaid sugilite, turquoise, coral, and lapis.  There are subtle, intricate etchings on the back.

Size: 1" H x 1.875" L x 1.5" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and are able to be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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.

Danette Laate carved this frog from shimmering mother of pearl and inlaid turquoise eyes.  It has a Sunface on its back with inlaid red coral, turquoise, and jet.  It also has four turquoise dots in the cardinal points around the Sunface.

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

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and, afterward can be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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 serpentine frog was made my Marilyn Quam.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes and three turquoise dots inlaid on its back.  It also has a hole in the center so it can be strung for a necklace or earrings! 

Size: .25" H x 1" L x .5 W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and, afterward can be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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.

Imagine walking along and seeing a big horned toad looking at you with a big grin!  This happy lizard was made by Carl Etsate from sandstone and has gleaming sterling silver eyes.  It is beautifully detailed and it can't be mistaken for anything other than a life-size horned toad!

Size: .875" H x 3.75" L x 2.25" W

Horned toads are thorny lizards with a fat body and very short tail.  If they feel attacked they can puff up to look bigger and their spiky scales can make them look like too much work to eat.  They can  also shoot blood out of their eyes up to 5 feet when threatened.  If you are looking for something to symbolize nonviolent protection, the horned toad may do the trick!

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 dolomite horned toad is happy because it is carrying the Sunface on its back along with four turquoise dots in the cardinal directions.  Zuni carver, Danette Laate, inlaid turquoise eyes and detailed the scales, the "horn" part of the neck, and the feet.  It feels very good in the hand!  More about horned toads below.

Size: 1" H x 2" L x .875" W

Horned toads are thorny lizards with a fat body and very short tail.  If they feel attacked they can puff up to look bigger and their spiky scales can make them look like too much work to eat.  They can  also shoot blood out of their eyes up to 5 feet when threatened.  If you are looking for something to symbolize nonviolent protection, the horned toad may do the trick!

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 horned toad was carved by Danette Laate from dolomite.  It carries an inlaid sun of turquoise, jet, and coral.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes and four inlaid turquoise dots in the four directions.  It will never be cold with the sun its back!

Size: .375" H x 2.125" L x 1" W

Horned toads are thorny lizards with a fat body and very short tail.  If they feel attacked they can puff up to look bigger and their spiky scales can make them look like too much work to eat.  They can also shoot blood out of their eyes up to 5 feet when threatened.  If you are looking for something to symbolize nonviolent protection, the horned toad may do the trick!

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 rattlesnake appears to be peacefully meandering.  Danette Laate carved it from Picasso marble and detailed the face, scales and rattles.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes, a pair of turquoise paws, and 7 jet dots.  It sure sees sweet for a powerful rattlesnake.

Size: .375" H x 2.75" L x 1" W

Snakes are strong, agile, and fast.  Sinuous in their movements, they are only seen when they want to be seen.  They shed their skins as they grow without sentiment for what they leave behind.  When threatened, some snakes have venomous bites, like this rattlesnake.  Men in some of the Pueblos conduct a snake dance where they dance with living rattlesnakes which do not bite them.  These ceremonies are private, and outsiders are not allowed.  Powerful medicine.

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 coiled snake from sodalite.  It is easy to imagine the stone representing the midnight sky with wispy, moonlight clouds.  The snake is coiled and has inlaid silver eyes.

Size: .75" H x .1.25" Diameter

Snakes are strong, agile, and fast.  Sinuous in their movements, they are only seen when they want to be seen.  They shed their skins as they grow without sentiment for what they leave behind. 

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

Fred Weekoty carved this frog from Picasso marble and inlaid turquoise eyes.   The stone is lovely and polished to a sheen.  We love how the eyes are enhanced!

Size: .75" H x 1.5" L x .75" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and, are able to be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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 are imagining this sweet little frog resting on a leaf in a quiet and beautiful pond as a gentle rain brings blessings.  It was carved by Tyrone Poncho at least 15 years ago, and is part of a collection we found when we moved.  It is carved from sandstone with inlaid turquoise eyes and three inlaid catlinite dots on its back.  More about frogs below.

Size: 1.75" L x 1.25" W x .675" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs, and live on land or in water.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come to Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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 Riveting Rattlesnake was carved by Paulette Quam from a beautiful unknown stone with shades of beige, gray, and blue.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes, a detailed mouth, and rattle.  The offering bundle has turquoise and red beads. 

Size: 6.675" L x .75" H x .1.25" W

Snakes are strong, agile, and fast.  Sinuous in their movements, they are only seen when they want to be seen.  They shed their skins as they grow without sentiment for what they leave behind.  When threatened, some snakes have venomous bites, like this rattlesnake.  Men in some of the Pueblos conduct a snake dance where they dance with living rattlesnakes which do not bite them.  These ceremonies are private, and outsiders are not allowed.  Powerful medicine.

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.

Turtles remind us to slow down in this face paced world.  This one was created by Alex Tsethlikai from bowelerite, which is recycled bowling balls.  We think that's a pretty cool use of old bowling balls!  The turtle has inlaid jet eyes and thirteen turquoise dots on its back, which represent the thirteen moons in a year.  The face, shell, belly, and feet are beautifully detailed.

Size: .375" H x 2.125 L x .975" W

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  When attacked they retreat into their shells, although some turtles have strong enough mouths to snap a finger.  For most Native American nations in North America, turtles represent Mother Earth.  Every turtle shell has 13 sections on top which some Native Americans say represent the 13 moons of each year.

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 horned toad has a gentle smile!  Carved by Danette Laate from sandstone, it has a Sunface inlaid on its back with inlaid jet, turquoise, and coral, along with four inlaid turquoise dots in the cardinal directions.  As with all of Danette's carvings, it is well detailed.  More about horned toads below.

Size: .125" H x 2.375" L x .675" W

Horned toads are thorny lizards with a fat body and very short tail.  If they feel attacked they can puff up to look bigger and their spiky scales can make them look like too much work to eat.  They can  also shoot blood out of their eyes up to 5 feet when threatened.  If you are looking for something to symbolize nonviolent protection, the horned toad may do the trick!

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 soothing turtle was made by Danette Laate.  She carved it from a beautiful piece of dolomite in serene colors and inlaid a Sunface on the back.  The Sunface is inlaid jet, turquoise, and coral, and has four inlaid dots in the cardinal directions.  As with all of Danette's carvings, this one is also well detailed.  More about turtles below.

Size: .375" H x 1.875" L x .875" W

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  Some species of sea turtles travel up to 8,000 miles in their migrations.  They can hold their breath longer under water than any air breathing creature, and some of them even sleep under water.  Unfortunately, they are endangered due to climate change warming the seas.

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 brilliantly white turtle was carved by Danette Laate at least 15 years ago.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes, and eight turquoise dots inlaid around the shell.  The shell is intricately detailed with diamonds on the head and radiating lines from the inlaid Sunface.  The Sunface is inlaid with turquoise, red coral, and jet.

Size: 1.125" L x .375" H x .75" W

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  When attacked they retreat into their shells, although some turtles have strong enough mouths to snap a finger.  For most Native American nations in North America, turtles represent Mother Earth.  Every turtle shell has 13 sections on top which some Native Americans say represent the 13 moons of each year.

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.

Christopher Pooacha carved this tranquil sea turtle travertine.  It's easy to imagine it swimming in a warm ocean.  The shell, mouth, and feet are detailed and it appears to be swimming over coral.  There are five inlaid turquoise stones on the shell, with inlaid turquoise eyes.

Size: 1.375" H x 1.5" H x 1.5" W

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  Some species of sea turtles travel up to 8,000 miles in their migrations.  They can hold their breath longer under water than any air breathing creature, and some of them even sleep under water.  Unfortunately, they are endangered due to climate change warming the seas.

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.

What better way to remember to slow down in the fast paced world?  Just put this turtle in a place you will see to be mindful and taking some breaths and slowing life down for a few minutes.  Lynn Quam carved this turtle from a very interesting piece of serpentine that has white and dark grey matrix.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes and ten turquoise dots on the shell, one in each of the etched segments.

Size: 1" H x 2.5" L x 1.75" W

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  When attacked they retreat into their shells, although some turtles have strong enough mouths to snap a finger.  For most Native American nations in North America, turtles represent Mother Earth.  Every turtle shell has 13 sections on top which some Native Americans say represent the 13 moons of each year.

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.

Zuni carver, Derrick Kaamasee, carved these two free frogs on a branch from antler and inlaid turquoise eyes in both of them.  Their skin is detailed as are their cute little feet. 

Size: 3.125" H x 1.625" L x 1" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and are able to be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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.