Alert Rattler

Zuni carver Jesus Espino carved this rattle snake from orange alabaster.  Its head is lifted and it intently stares ahead.  It has inlaid jet eyes and the rattle and scales are exquisitely detailed.  "JE" is engraved on the bottom.

Size: 2.875" L x .375" W

Snakes are strong, agile, and fast.  Sinuous in their movements, they are only seen when they want to be seen.  They shed their skins as they grow without sentiment for what they leave behind.  When threatened, some snakes have venomous bites, like this rattlesnake.  Men in some of the Pueblos conduct a snake dance where they dance with living rattlesnakes which do not bite them.  These ceremonies are private, and outsiders are not allowed.  Powerful medicine.

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.