Zuni Fetishes

Zuni tradition recognizes six directions--north, south, east, west, sky, and underground—each protected by a specific animal. Following is a selection of those animals by various carvers in their individual styles including one in the most powerful concretion style.

MOUNTAIN LION is protector of the North and the most powerful hunting fetish, assisting with whatever you seek.

Veronica Poblano beach glass old style mountain lion fetish, 1” high by 2” long by 1/2” wide, SOLD. Veronica harvested the glass from the archipelago Haida Gwaii which she finds a spiritual retreat. The shape was much as she left it, a natural concretion lion, the most powerful kind. As always, Veronica’s offering is all natural gemstones, turquoise and coral, and her sterling silver signature tag.

Dee Edaakie stichtiite-in-serpentine mountain lion fetish, 1-3/4” high by 3-1/8” long by 1-1/8” wide, SOLD. Dee carved the tail in motion. This exotic purple and green stone is rarely seen these days.

Rickson Kallestewa pale pink alabaster mountain lion fetish, 1-5/8” high by 3-1/4” long by 1-1/8” wide, SOLD. This lion’s long tail wraps all the way around under his chin!
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BEAR is protector of the West and the most powerful healer.

Dee Edaakie black jet bear fetish, 1-3/4” high by 2-3/4” long (to end of arrowhead) by 1-1/4” wide, SOLD. A beautifully carved gold-lip mother-of-pearl arrowhead is the offering for Dee’s distinctive chunky style.

Alice Leekya Homer (d) orange calcite bear fetish, 2-1/4” high by 2-1/2” long by 3/4” wide, SOLD. Of all the Leekya descendants, Alice’s carvings are the most like her father’s.

Loren Tsalabutie apatite dancing bear fetish, 2-3/4” high by 2-3/4” long by 2” wide, $650. Loren’s bear plans to enjoy his hibernation!
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BADGER is protector of the South and finder of medicines.

Chris Sandoval black jade badger fetish, 5/8” high by 2-1/4” long by 1-1/8” wide, SOLD. Black jade is considered a strong healing stone making this fetish doubly powerful.

Stewart Quandelacy dolomite badger fetish, 3/4” high by 2-5/8” long by 3/4” wide, $160. Stewart’s gracefully oblique arrowhead carved in golden mother-of-pearl is the offering.

Loren Tsalabutie obsidian badger fetish, 1-1/8” high by 3” long by 2-1/4” wide, $450. This badger with his inlaid coral eyes, raised paw, and natural crystal stripe embodies all the legendary badger fierceness. 
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WOLF is protector of the East and a teacher and leader.

Edna Leki (d) early white marble wolf fetish, 1-1/8” high by 2-1/4” long by 1/2” wide, SOLD. Eyes are drilled and marked with pitch. Edna’s distinctive arrowhead is carved of pen shell and tied on with real sinew.

Evalena Boone leopard marble wolf fetish, 1” high by 4” long by 1/2” wide, SOLD. Evalena’s spiny oyster shell arrowhead is reminiscent of her grandmother Edna’s.

Aaron and Thelma Sheche (both d) Peruvian blue angelite wolf mates fetish, 1” high by 2-3/4” long by 1/2” wide, SOLD. Double the protection!
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MOLE ​is protector of the underground including the roots of crops and medicines.

Stewart Quandelacy Egyptian marble mole fetish, 3/4” high by 2-1/2” long by 5/8” wide, $160. This mole is well armed with a mother-of-pearl carved spear point.

Lena Boone (d) large soapstone mole fetish, 1” high by 3-1/2” long by 2-1/4” wide, $150. Arrowhead Is carved from green sea snail shell which is unusual. Lena always carved slits for her moles’ eyes.

Wilfred Cheama (d) textured McGinnis turquoise double mole fetish, 7/8” high by 2-3/4” long by1-1/8” wide, SOLD. Wilfred was one of the first to carve realistic fetishes, and this carving is a great example. The “moles" here and in Zuni are actually shrews, and they look just like this.
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EAGLE is protector of the sky and carrier of prayers.

Gibbs Othole Mexican labradorite eagle fetish, 2” high by 3” long by 1-1/8” wide, SOLD. Gibbs drilled a hole through the eagle’s foot so the talons could grasp the coral branch securely.

Dee Edaakie amber eagle fetish, 2-1/4” high by 1-1/4” long by 3/4” wide, SOLD. Amber like this is not available much for carving anymore.

Aaron and Thelma Sheche (both d) red marble eagle fetish, 3/4” high by 2-1/4” long by 1/2” wide, $300. As is traditional, the eagle carries a piece of the sky on his back (turquoise chunk on his tail).

Please email [email protected], to place your order. 
A portion of all sales by Grey Dog Trading go directly to The Zuni Fetish Museum.