Miscellaneous Fetish Carving

This Silly Squirrel was carved from sandstone by Louise Ponchuella. She sealed it with a coating to prevent it from crumbling, so it is safe! It is a beautiful stone which reminds of the shades of the mesas in Arizona and New Mexico. She inlaid bright blue turquoise eyes. We really like the big, bushy tail! More about squirrels below.

Size: 2.375" H x 1.375" L x .875" W

Squirrels can bring so much joy and laughter from watching their antics and hearing their sounds. They can also be annoying for folks when they invade the bird feeders or raid the garden. Like some people, they bring laughter and can sometimes be a bit annoying. Maybe they help teach us patience.

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 stately stagg was carved by Todd Etsate from jasper.  It has gold lip mother of pearl antlers and turquoise eyes.  More about deer below.

Size: 1.55" H x 1.675" L x .475" W 

Deer are sacred to some Native Americans.  Like the buffalo, they provide food, skins for clothing and pouches, hooves for rattles, antlers for weapons and art.  There are deer dances in Northern Mexico and the Southwest where the spirit of the deer enters into the bodies of the men who have been prepared to accept the deer.  When the men dance, they are no longer men.  They are deer.

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.

Brandon Phillips carved the mama otter from catalite and inlaid turquoise eyes.  Her face, whiskers, and paws are all detailed.  Her baby is also carved from catalite.  So Sweet!

Size: .75" H x 3.375" L x .75" W

Otters are water creatures that live in oceans, rivers, creeks and lakes.  The mothers float around with their babies on their bellies when they are young.  They put their food on their bellies making their bellies dining tables.  They are associated with happiness, joy, and community. 

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 Busy Beaver is a beautiful deep rust color and was carved from catlinite. It has inlaid turquoise eyes. It was made by Marvelita Phillips from Zuni Pueblo who engraved MP on the bottom. It has the sweetest face! The tail is detailed like a beaver tail. This little beaver feels so good in the hand. More about beavers below. 

Size: .675" H x 2.5" L x .75" W

Beavers were almost hunted to extinction in North America due to the greed of the fashion industry in the 1800s.  No one probably noticed at the time, but rivers and waterways were negatively impacted by the loss of the beavers. Now, beavers are returning to damaged waterways and these waterways are recovering. Learn more here.

Beavers are creatures of the land and the water who have devised a way to birth their babies under water but still stay dry.  Put this carving where you will see it if you would like to be inspired to mobilized to action.

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 Industrious Beaver is a beautiful cream serpentine color with turquoise eyes. It was made by Marvelita Phillips from Zuni Pueblo. It has the sweetest face! The tail is detailed like a beaver tail. More about beavers below.

Size: .75" H x 2.5" L x .5" W

Beavers were almost hunted to extinction in North America due to the greed of the fashion industry in the 1800s.  No one probably noticed at the time, but rivers and waterways were negatively impacted by the loss of the beavers. Now, beavers are returning to damaged waterways and these waterways are recovering. Learn more here.

Beavers are creatures of the land and the water who have devised a way to birth their babies under water but still stay dry.  Put this carving where you will see it if you would like to be inspired to mobilized to action.

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.

Four joyous meerkats are holding what may be little birds in each hand.  Chris Peina carved them from antler and inlaid jet eyes.  Their faces, hands, and legs are detailed.  

Size: 1.25" H x 1.1.75" L x 1.5" 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.

Marvelita Phillips carved these dinosaurs and gave them bright blue turquoise eyes.  They were all carved from different shades of serpentine.  So sweet we want to pet them! 

Eggshell White: 1" H x 2.375" L x .5" W

Brown: 1" H x 2.25" L x .5" W

Tan: .875" H x 2" L x .375" W