Zuni Serpentine Bear Fetish with Turquoise, Coral & Abalone Offering Bundle View Watchlist >
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Lot # G458
System ID # 30346557
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End Date
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Zuni Serpentine Bear Fetish with Turquoise, Coral & Abalone Offering Bundle
A Zuni bear fetish carved from mottled olive-green serpentine, the stone's natural banding and darker inclusions running through a compact, walking-bear form. The muzzle and legs are worked in a paler, honeyed tone, finished with incised claws at each paw and a slightly upturned snout. Inlaid turquoise eyes are set into the face. The signature detail is the offering bundle lashed across the dorsum with sinew: a fanned abalone shell arrowhead paired with a turquoise nugget, branch coral, and additional stone beads.
The bear guards the West among the six directional fetishes and carries associations of strength and healing. The bundled offering — miniature arrowhead and prayer stones bound to the animal's spine — follows long tradition, meant to feed and honor the fetish's spirit, and marks this as a working spiritual object rather than a decorative carving.
CONDITION
Good with no remarkable damage. Surface shows handling wear and light mineral bloom to the stone consistent with age and use. The sinew binding and offering bundle remain intact and secure.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- 1 1/4" H × 2 3/4" W × 9/16" D
- Weight: 33.9 grams
- Materials: Serpentine, turquoise, coral, abalone shell
- U.S. Quarter (0.955" Dia.) Shown for Scale — Not Included
