Zuni Serpentine Turtle Carving with Inlaid Sunface Burden! This Loren Burns carved turtle is traditionally carved in yellow serpentine with inlaid turquoise eyes, shell accents and it carries and inlaid sunface burden offering of turquoise, coral, jet and two colors of mother of pearl. It measures 1 7/16" long and 5/8" high. The result is one of the most colorful turtle fetish carvings we've seen. The Zuni fetish tradition is many thousands of years old, serving important purposes in their religious and ceremonial life. The small animals chosen traditionally embodied the six compass directions: The Wolf, from the East; The Badger (or Bobcat), from the South; The Bear from the West; The Mountain Lion from the North, the Eagle from the skies above and the Mole from deep below, in the darkness. Other Southwestern Pueblos and tribes, including the Navajo, Lakota and Apache also make use of carved animal fetishes in ceremony and for personal protection. Besides the directional protectors, there are other traditional animals each serving a different purpose, such as hunting guides or like this turtle, a protector of a woman's health and fertility. In the past twenty or so years, as the carving art developed to serve collectors as well as the cermonial functions, other animals, not from native fauna are carved as well. This has created a great demand for new and unusual carvings as well as the traditional, ceremonial ones. While a carving remains an inanimate object unless it has been consecreated into a religious ceremony by a religious leader, they do embody a sense of the awe and beauty of the natural world and the balance and harmony sought by the Zuni people. One of the most interesting documents discussing the Zuni traditions, was written and first published in 1910 by Frank Hamilton Cushing. It is titled Zuni Fetishes and it was drawn from Mr. Cushing's three years in Zuni at the behest of the Museum of Natural History in New York City. There are many other books that investigate the artform as it has evolved since then as well This fetish carving represents a wonderful, ancient tradition that will grace any collection. We've been working to keep our customers coming back since 1985 -- We ship fast, always insure packages, and accept returns. We hope you'll be one of our many regulars. Anything you'd like, you don't see, let us know and please be sure to leave us feedback! 
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