Zuni Bear Fetish

Zuni Bear Fetish
Size 1.75" L x 1.75" L x .5" W
Late 20th Century
Hand Carved and Made of Banded Green with Black and White Spotted Arrowhead Stone, 3 Turquoise Beads and 2 Turquoise Inlaid Eyes Zuni Pueblo NM
Private Estate Collection
Excellent Condition
A Zuni Bear Fetish is a small, hand-carved sculpture created by artisans from the Zuni Pueblo, an Indigenous community in western New Mexico. These fetishes are more than decorative items; they are sacred objects believed to embody the spirit of the animal they represent—in this case, the bear. Traditionally made from natural materials like stone (such as serpentine, alabaster, or marble), shell, or bone, they serve ceremonial and spiritual purposes within Zuni culture, acting as mediators between people and the spiritual world. The carvings often include symbolic elements like inlaid eyes (e.g., turquoise or coral) or bundles of offerings to enhance their power.
Zuni fetishes have been documented since the late 19th century, with early anthropological accounts from Frank Hamilton Cushing in the 1880s highlighting their role in rituals. While originally used for personal or communal ceremonies, they have become popular collectibles today, though authentic pieces are still crafted with cultural reverence.