Big Bear Little Bear

Enrike Leekya carved the big bear from travertine and the little bear from gold-lip Mother of Pearl.  They both have inlaid turquoise eyes and noses, and detailed faces, and tails.  The little bear has an offering of a turquoise arrowhead and stands on the offering of a black-lip Mother of Pearl arrowhead. 

Size: 2.25" H x 2.875" L x .875" 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.