Kent Banteah

This chubby horned toad was carved by Kent Banteah from serpentine.  It has blue eyes and is well detailed all over!  It crouches on a base of alabaster.  It's a bit rough, but very charming.

Size: .375" H x 1.5" L x 1" W, Base is .25" H x 1.875" L x 1.125" W

Horned toads are thorny lizards with a fat body and very short tail.  If they feel attacked they can puff up to look bigger and their spiky scales can make them look like too much work to eat.  They can also shoot blood out of their eyes up to 5 feet when threatened.  If you are looking for something to symbolize nonviolent protection, the horned toad may do the trick!

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.

Kent Banteah carved this fat little horned toad on a leave from two different shades of Picasso marble and inlaid turquoise eyes.  The many details include the cute little face, scales, feet, and "horns", as well s lines in the leaf.  What a cutie!

Size: 1.5" H x 2.25" L x 1.875" W

Horned toads are thorny lizards with a fat body and very short tail.  If they feel attacked they can puff up to look bigger and their spiky scales can make them look like too much work to eat.  They can  also shoot blood out of their eyes up to 5 feet when threatened.  If you are looking for something to symbolize nonviolent protection, the horned toad may do the trick!

Lizards are associated with fire and dreaming in some Indigenous traditions.  We’ve heard stories of lizards crawling out of ceremonial fires that have been lit for hours.  And, it’s no surprise that they are also associated with dreaming since they are often seen basking in the sun with their eyes closed.  They are one of the reptiles that shed their skins, and some also associate them with the good medicine of making necessary change.

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 blue-eyed frog was carved by Kent Banteah from Zuni Pueblo.  It is carved from Picasso Marble and the skin, face, feet, and leaf are all detailed.  More about frogs below

Size: 1" H x 1.5" L x 1.5" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and are able to be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

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.