Water Creatures

Jesus Espino did a wonderful job on this fish that he carved from pink mussel shell.  We love how he carved the eyes that seem to be looking right at you.  The gills, scales, tail and fins are all detailed.  It has a lovely bend to the shape.

Size: 1" H x 3" L x .125" W

Like all of our four-legged, winged, slithering, and crawling relatives, the finned ones are millions of years older than human beings.  While a source of nourishment for many of us, they are also like the canary in the mine when it comes to understanding the health and vitality of the waters. 

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.

Jonathan Natewa carved this seal from a beautiful piece of banded dolomite.  The color is more striking than in the photo with pink, orange, and burnt orange bands on one side.  The other side is more of a water color effect with the same colors.  This happy seal has its head lifted up with an open mouth - you can almost hear the barking!   The eyes are inlaid abalone.  The flipper is engraved to highlight the detail.

Size: 2.125" H x 3.5" L x .75" W

Many people consider seals to be the dogs of the waters, and their bark is similar to dogs.  Their gracefulness in the water is beautiful to see.  They are very playful and are sometimes curious about humans in the water.  Their big brown eyes are soulful.  Like whales and dolphins, they are one of the few species of mammals who spend most of their lives in the water.

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.

Colin Weeka carved this powerful raptor from Picasso marble.  Its claws are holding a fish with inlaid turquoise eyes - it will never be hungry!  It has inlaid turquoise eyes and stands on a log.   The feather are detailed, and the wings and tail are beautiful.

Size: 3" H x 1.5" L x .75" W

Raptors have many meanings in Native America.  The eagle is the most sacred since it sees the furthest and flies the highest.  It is considered as a messenger to take our prayers to the Creator.  In Zuni Pueblo, eagles are also the guardian of the sky world.  Hawks have a similar meaning, but not as powerful as the eagle.  For some Indigenous people, hawks are the smaller siblings of eagles.

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 curved abalone fish was carved by Bernard Lementino.  It has an inlaid turquoise eyes and detailed fins and tail.   There is also an inlaid bit of turquoise on outside shell side, probably where there was a natural hole in the abalone.  Bernard used turquoise chips to represent the water, and it is on a marble base.  Unfortunately, the photos don't show the brilliance of the inside of the abalone which glows silver, pink, green and yellow.  It's gorgeous!

Size: 1.625" H x 4.25" L x 1.75" W

Salmon are sacred to many Indigenous people which rely on them for food and have spiritual relationships with salmon.  Some Native Americans tan salmon skin to use as clothing and pouches.  Today, with Native American treaty water and fishing rights still being violated and a serious issue, and some species of salmon nearing extinction, many people are standing up for what is called the salmon nation.  The relationship between some Native Americans and salmon is very similar to the relationship between some Native Americans and buffalo.

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.