Zuni Antler Bear Fetish

20th Century

2" H x .875" L x 1.125" W

Hand Carved from Antler or Ivory of a Polar Bear with 2 Inlaid Jet Eyes, 2 Inlaid Coral, 4 Inlaid Green Stones and 20 Inlaid Jet Claws on Hands and Feet Paws

Excellent Condition

Polar bears (known as nanuq in Inuktitut) hold profound cultural and spiritual significance in Inuit (and historically "Eskimo") traditions. They are revered as powerful beings, almost human-like, with the ability to shape-shift, control hunting success, and serve as spirit helpers (tuurngait) for shamans.

Fetish is a small carved figurines or amulets, similar to Native American traditions (e.g., Zuni bear fetishes for healing and protection), but applied to Inuit/Yupik/Alaskan Native carvings. These are hand-carved representations of polar bears, often from materials like stone (serpentine), ivory, bone, or musk ox horn.