ELEVEN ASSORTED ZUNI FETISH CARVINGS, NEW MEXICO, TRADITIONAL ART OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST. Set of eleven vintage assorted Zuni Fetish carvings from the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, part of the traditional art of the Native American Southwest. They are small, hand-carved animal figures made from various types of semi-precious stones (such as serpentine, Jet (a form of lignite), pipestone (catlinite), travertine, turquoise, alabaster, marble, lapis lazuli, wood, malachite, carnelian, fluorite, onyx, bone, deer/elk antler, and/or shell: mother-of-pearl, abalone, spiny oyster); the carvings depict animals, each of which holds spiritual significance in Zuni belief. A key distinguishing feature is the tiny "medicine" bundle tied to the back of the some of the carvings which are small offerings like a tiny arrowhead (for protection), shell beads (heishi), coral, or small nuggets of turquoise (which is considered a sacred stone). Some are signed by the artist. Estimate $200-300
