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.
