Zuni Fetish Green Serpentine "Dragon" Turquoise Eyes

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Zuni Fetish Green Serpentine "Dragon" Turquoise Eyes

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Sold Date: 08/11/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

White Horned Green "Dragon" Fetish

Carved from Green Serpentine by

American Indian Zuni Artist

Signed Zuni NM and Shak

I have never seen another like this.

Turquoise Eyes, Mother of Pearl Horns

4.25 inches nose to tail x 2.25 inches tall x 1inch wide

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The information below is for those who want to know more about American Indian Fetishes
Indian fetishes are hand-carved objects, which represent the spirits of animals or the forces of nature. From the earliest times in North America, the Indians have used fetishes in an effort to master the arbitrary and unpredictable forces beyond their control. The earliest fetishes are called Ahlashiwe or stone ancients by the Zunis. They were naturally formed stones that seemed to resemble people or animals, sometimes made more realistic with the features accentuated by a carver .

They are considered more powerful and were formerly thought to be ancient animals or people turned to stone. All Southwestern tribes make and use fetishes. However, the Zuni people have developed a reputation for being the most skillful in carving elaborate fetishes, which are used in their religious rituals and are an integral part of their personal lives.

Fetishes may be used in many ways, either by the individual or by the whole tribe: for good luck in the hunt, initiation into a society, the diagnosis or curing of illness, fertility and propagation purposes, and/or for personal protection.

Zunis believe that animals, as well as inanimate objects and the forces of nature, have a spirit force, which can either help or hurt man. It is believed that the carved animal fetishes host that spiritual force and, if treated properly, will help their owners to overcome the problems facing them.

According to Zuni tradition, the guardian animals of the six directions are intrinsically involved in the kiva rites:

the mountain lion > north
the bear > west
the badger > south
the eagle > the sky (up)
the mole > underground (down)
the wolf > east Exactly how fetishes are used in the kiva is known only to those initiated into the different kiva societies.

The characteristics of the fetish animals and their possible usefulness for the owner are the basis of their selection. For example, the mole fetish is to protect the fields from rodents; frog fetishes are valued for fertility because of the numerous tadpoles they produce and their association with water. The mountain lion, wolf, and other predator animal fetishes provide the owner with power over the deer and other game animals. Whenever a hunt is successful, the fetishes which gave that success are allowed the first ceremonial feeding of the game animal.

Fetishes are often seen with a bundle of coral, turquoise, or an arrowhead tied to the back or side. These are offerings made to the fetish for favors already received or hoped for in the future. If a carving is believed to have power, it is a fetish.

Some fetishes will have an ...