Water Creatures

This happy bear looks filled with gratitude as it holds its fish and looks upward.  It was carved by Freddie Leekya from travertine and has inlaid turquoise eyes and snout.  The fish is shimmering Mother of Pearl with detailed fin and tail.  More about bears below.

Size: 2.25" H x 1.5" L x 1.25" 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.

This lucky fishing eagle has its wing a bit stretched over the fish in its claws to make sure no one tries to take it.  Derrick carved it from green serpentine.  The eagle has inlaid turquoise eyes and the fish has inlaid red coral eyes. The beak and feathers are marvelously detailed, as are the claws and the base that it stand on.  Derrick's symbol and "Zuni" are etched into the bottom.  More about eagles below.

Size: 2.25" H x 2.25" L x .2" 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.

Gilbert Lonjose carved this big fish from serpentine.  The fins, scales, and mouth are very well detailed, and it has bright blue turquoise eyes.  "gl", "Zuni", and "22" are envraged on the bottom.  It feels very good in the hand!

Size: 1.5" H x 3.2" L x .675" W

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 joyful dolphin fro banded Mexican onyx and inlaid sterling silver eyes.  It is easy to imagine it jumping into the air.

Size: 1.25" H x 2" L x .5" W

Dolphins are some of our most joyous non-human relatives.  They are communal beings that communicate with one another and seem to do their best to communicate with humans too.  They sometimes work together to hunt and are very cooperative.  If you ever need a bit of joy, just watch a video of dolphins in the wild!

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.

Andres Quandelacy created this lucky fishing bear with a turquoise fish in its mouth.  It is carved from shimmering gold lip Mother of Pearl.  It has inlaid bright blue turquoise eyes, and the fur is beautifully detailed all the way around.

Size: 1" H x 1.75" L x .375" 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.

Danette Laate carved this lucky fish from Picasso marble and inlaid big blue eyes.  We love the big mouth!  It is very well detailed with scales and fins.

Size: 1.5" H x 1.75" L x .5" W

Danette Laate carved this lucky fish from Picasso marble and inlaid big blue eyes.  We love the big mouth!  It is very well detailed with scales and fins.

Size: 1.25" H x 1.5" L x .5" W