Purposeful Bear

This Purposeful Bear definitely knows where it is going.  It's stride is long and its eyes are focused ahead.  It was carved from jet by Herbert Halate and has turquoise eyes and an offering bundle of turquoise.  "HH" is engraved on the bottom of a foot.  More about bears below.

Size: 1.875" H x 3.75"L x 1" 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.