Kewa Garcia Family Spiny Oyster Bird Fetish Heishi Necklace View Watchlist >
- Winning Bid: $145.00
- 39 Bid(s) View Bid History
- High Bidder: Nookomis
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Lot # JD136
System ID # 27716930
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End Date
2 Watching
Kewa Garcia Family Spiny Oyster Bird Fetish Heishi Necklace
A museum-caliber example of Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo lapidary craft, this three-strand bird fetish necklace is attributed to a member of the Garcia family — one of the most recognized names in Kewa shell work. Seventy-two individual birds are hand-carved from Spiny Oyster (Spondylus) shell, each rendered with a distinct head, swept wings, and tail — the level of definition that defines accomplished work within the Kewa tradition, where religious practice guides carvers toward stylized rather than hyper-literal forms. The warm orange of the shell's exterior and the white nacre of its carved interior show together on each piece, creating natural color contrast built into the material itself. Three strands of 3mm shell heishi serve as the structural framework, with natural turquoise nuggets punctuating the strands at intervals.
At 32 inches and 112.6 grams, this is a substantial, wearable piece with the weight and presence its construction earns. The cotton cord tie closure is fully traditional — no metal hardware. Serious collectors of pueblo beadwork know that attributed Garcia family pieces perform well at market; the time cost of 72 individually carved birds alone tells you where this sits in the maker's output. An exceptional opportunity for the right buyer.
CONDITION
Good overall. Shell birds show natural tonal variation across the lot, with expected minor surface irregularities consistent with hand carving from organic material.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Length: 32 inches
- Weight: 112.6 grams
- Strands: 3
- Heishi: 3mm shell disc beads
- Carved bird fetishes: 72 total — approx. 33.9mm L × 9.7mm W × 4.79mm D
- Turquoise nuggets: approx. 9.76mm × 5.41mm × 5.5mm (average)
- Shell material: Spiny Oyster (Spondylus)
- Closure: Cotton cord tie — no metal hardware
- Attribution: Kewa Pueblo, Garcia family
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