Zuni Pueblo 3-Strand Fetish Necklace By David Tsikewa, with "David" tag

Late 20th Century

31.5" L

Hand Crafted from Coral, Mother of Pearl, Shell, Turquoise, Heishi Beads and  Many Other Mixed Stones in Bird and Fox Figures with a String Wrapped Back and Three Strands

In Very Good Condition

David Tsikewa (1915–1971, also spelled variations like Tsikewa or Siaekewa) was a highly regarded Zuni Pueblo (A:shiwi) artist known for his delicate, gentle-style fetish carvings, which brought a refined, sweet quality distinct from many contemporaries. He also worked as a silversmith (learning from Horace Iule around 1937) and did inlay work, including collaborations with Hopi jeweler Preston Monongye. adobegallery.com His fetish necklaces, especially multi-strand ones, are prized collectibles. Fetishes are small carved animal figures traditionally associated with spiritual or ceremonial power (e.g., for hunting, healing, or protection), though those made for necklaces became popular tourist and collector items from the mid-20th century onward. Tsikewa carved birds, bears, foxes, and other animals from materials like various stones, shell (mother-of-pearl, spondylus), jet, serpentine, pipestone, turquoise, and more.