Zuni Pueblo Tribal Art Carved Serpentine Bear Fetish. The mottled green soapstone of the body of the bear also features a turquoise inlay arrow at the mouth pointing toward its center, symbolizing strength and direction. A small arrow-shaped stone is fastened to its back with sinew and adorned with feathers, commonly referred to as a "fetish bundle." 

Size: 2 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. 

The Zuni are Native American Pueblo peoples of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico, and most live in the Pueblo of Zuni on the Zuni River, a tributary of the Little Colorado River. The shared mythology of many Western American tribes often describe enormous flying creatures who control wind, lightning, rain, or the sun, variously, and their iconography is common on clothing, jewelry, and totemic artwork, both for fashion and religious purposes. The Zuni are particularly known for their fetish art, which consists of hand-carved, traditional animal or human figures representing spirits believed to provide protection, healing, and assistance in daily life. These carvings, made from materials like soapstone, turquoise, antler, and marble, are deeply rooted in Zuni culture, often featuring a "heartline" to signify life force, and are considered highly collectible.

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