Zuni Bird Fetish carved from Polished Blacktail Deer Antler by Maxx Laate

Possibly depicting a Curve-billed Thrasher.

late 20th / early 21st Century

5" h

From a Private Colorado Collection

Excellent Condition

Along with his deceased bother Pernell, Maxx Laate launched and nurtured a ‘school’ of Zuni fetish carving in the early 80s. Using mostly deer antler, but also fossilized walrus teeth when available, he focused on fine detail. Maxx sharpened his techniques, often carving miniatures. His awareness of subject matter is apparent.
Maxx and Pernell fostered their ideas and techniques among a large number of nephews and their friends. Maxx will accept any challenge to create any image. Working with the precision of a watchmaker, he adds intensity, motion and gracefulness to his carvings. His images of North American game animals show keen detail from his personal observations. Early on, he successfully tackled Africa game animals. Some of his recent carvings are of spiders, fish, lobsters and also just heads of animals or birds. Watching Maxx begin a carving: He carefully examines a small section of antler to see what spirits might be unlocked. He then proceeds to release the spirit into a provocative, well-balanced creation. For special requests, he will search through his antler stack for the ideal piece to carve. He currently works along side his older brother Willard, in a small outdoor studio amidst the family enclave at the foot of towering sacred Dowallene Mountain
Excellent Condition