Zuni Fetish Bear with Drum by Rickson Kallestewa

Late 20th/Early 21st Century

2.25"H

In Zuni culture, bears represent healing, protection, wisdom and strength. 

Known to dig up medicinal roots from the ground, bears are excellent healers and, with their size, make impressive protectors. 

Rickson Kallestewa is a Zuni artist from the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, known for his fetish carvings that carry a distinct joyful vibe. He’s been carving since his early 20s.

Rickson is part of a broader Zuni tradition where fetishes aren’t just art—they’re spiritual objects, embodying an animal’s “medicine” or traits. His bears might nod to the Guardian of the West, symbolizing inner power, while a lizard could hint at agility and awareness. He signs his work with an “RK,” often with “Zuni” and the year.