Riveting Rattlesnake

This Riveting Rattlesnake was carved by Paulette Quam from a beautiful unknown stone with shades of beige, gray, and blue.  It has inlaid turquoise eyes, a detailed mouth, and rattle.  The offering bundle has turquoise and red beads. 

Size: 6.675" L x .75" H x .1.25" 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.