Blended Bear Family

This blended bear family was carved from white alabaster and jasper by Ed Lementino.  The white stone is beautiful, and luminous.  The eyes are inlaid jet, and the offering bundle has heishi, coral, and turquoise nugget beads.  The baby on top leans slightly as if it is yearning to see something that it can't quite make out.  What a sweet family!

Size: 1.75" H x 1.75" 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.