What's about to happen in Tribal Art?

June 7-9 - Red Earth Festival, Oklahoma City (Update: Recent OKC tornados may cause cancellation) 405-427-5228 

June 21-23 - Brian Lebel's Old West Sale & Auction, Denver CO Merchandise Mart
602-437-7602

June 22 - Museum of Northern Arizona Navajo Rug Auction, Flagstaff,
AZ 928-774-5213

June 23-24 - Taos, NM San Juan Feast Day at Taos Pueblo

New Aboriginal art exhibit in Australia

We are always happy to announce and 

promote Aboriginal art exhibits in Australia, 

even though we have no connection with 

the exhibitor. Maureen Hudson is a fine 

painter. If you are in the area, this should 

be a good show. If you are not in Australia 

but are interested in Australian aboriginal 

art available in the USA, visit our web site 

at tribalworks

current exhibition maureen hudson nampijinpa

Maureen Hudson Nampijinpa Earth + Fire + Water exhibition 
opens June 14 at 6.30pm and runs daily at ELEMENTS Gallery,
131A Waratah Avenue, Dalkeith until Sunday 30th June 
11-5 daily.  All enquiries welcome.
  

Zuni and the art of Zuni fetish carving

A few miles south of Gallup, New Mexico and near the Arizona state line lies a Native American pueblo with a colorful history of survival. From Conquistador assaults, Christian proselytizing, seasonal extremes in temperature and moisture, Anglo expansion and commercial exploitation, the Zuni people have persisted.

No one knows for sure, but some speculate that the Zuni Pueblo's persistence is partially a result of the a'shiwi  dedication to a culture that is highly creative. Among the artistic traditions of the people is that of "fetish" carving. It began in Zuni prehistory, from a Zuni belief that when the Zuni people emerged onto the surface of the earth, the Sun Father ordered his twin sons to protect them from wild and aggressive animals, for which the people were not well prepared cope with. The twin sons hurled down bolts of lightening to strike the the animals and freeze their spirits in stone. The stone animals were commanded to use their powers and cunning to serve the Zuni people.

With this story as part of their culture, a Zuni would find a stone object that resembled a bear or a mountain lion, or some other predator, he assumed the stone contained the protective spirit that the belief described. Those stones would be gathered up to provide protection for the bearer. Eventually, they would be slightly reshaped to appear even closer to the creature. The stones would be kept for protection and to assist the hunter in his hunt.

The acquisition of a new "fetish" was accompanied by a prayer for help in the hunt and thanks for the result that would go to feed their families. In theory, a Zuni carving doesn't not become a "fetish" until is blessed by a tribal priest. But Zuni carvings have become so skilled and the results so attractive that people began to collect the carvings. The use of the term "fetish" stuck among the collectors.

As the tradition evolved, the creatures became more intricate and finished in their appearance. The six-direction coterie of bear, mountain lion, badger, wolf, eagle and mole, protectors of the west, the north, the south, the east, the sky and the netherworld respectively, were expanded to any number of creatures the carver could imagine and reproduce. Similarly, while the original materials were the found stones, the repertory has expanded to include turquoise, coral, shell, jet, and Zuni rock, a travertine found at Zuni, and materials as exotic as lapis lazuli, amber, opal, pipestone, tagua nut, labradorite and more.

The combination of more versatile materials, more different creatures and more detail have spurred growing popularity among people who love to collect. When you catch the bug, you will find ample opportunities to find what you are looking for. Many carvers sell from their home studios in Zuni.  Some of the more noteworthy carvers are Lena Boone and her family, Evalena boone, Leland Boone and  Robert MIchael Weahkee. Lena's sister is Dinah Gasper, both are descended from Edna Leki. Other very collectible carvers include Dee  Edaakie, Burt Awelagte, The Quandelacys - Sandra, Stewart, Stuart, Avery, Kateri, Vicki, Andres, Georgia, Talia and Faye. Todd Westika, Fitz Kiyite, Gibbs Othole and Lynn and Jane Quam are more. The list goes on (apologies to any that my faulty memory has left out.)

If you can't make the trip to Zuni, however, there are dozens of dealers in local galleries throughout New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and other Western states, plus in major cities across the country. Even more convenient, there are numerous sellers online, some on eBay and other on their own websites. Just search for "Zuni fetish carvings".

As with anything popular, the carving tradition has expanded to include Native Americans from other tribes and pueblos. Salvador Romero is an accomplished carver from Cochiti, as is his brother, Wilson Romero. Navajo carvers include Sammy Smith and Ben Livingston. 

Melvin Sandoval, a San Felipe member, who is married to a Zuni woman, has developed a very distinctive, abstract style that has attracted a strong following among collectors. 

One of our favorites is Delbert Charging Crow, a Lakota Sioux, whose carving is very spiritual.

As you venture into the field, be sure to select Zuni fetish dealers with good records, positive reviews, a history of successful customer satisfaction and the willingness to stand behind their provenance for each piece.  In addition, if you are buying based on online photographs, be sure your seller will accept a return if you are unhappy with your purchase when you see and hold it.

Welcome to the world of Zuni fetishes and fetish carving.  Make yourself comfortable. Elahkwa

Australian Indigenous Art in Australia and America

Fans of Indigenous Australian Art will welcome news of Artitja's 
new gallery show in South Freemantle, Australia. 
Unfortunately, if you live in the U.S., Freemantle 

is a distant and expensive trip. 

U.S. resident Aboriginal art fans, however, are not 
without resources. Aboriginals: Art of the First Person is a 
stateside gallery of Australian Indigenous Art 

with the ability to ship works domestically without customs 
or other import complications. We also can and 
have shipped to collectors overseas.

We also support the efforts of Artitja to promote awareness
 and advance appreciation of this remarkable art and 
the artists that produce it .

ANNA KANARIS and ARTHUR CLARKE invite you to a private viewing of our latest collection of INDIGENOUS FINE ART  Saturday and Sunday 25th and 26th May at 107 Attfield Street, South Fremantle 11-5pm attendance rsvp would be appreciated info@artitja.com.au

Online sales vs. local stores

A few days ago, we published an article about an impending Federal law that would require merchants who have no physical connection to a state, county or city to collect sales taxes for those locations. The good news is that the bill has been held up in Congress. There is still time to contact your Senator and Representative and urge them to vote this bill down.

Here are the issues:

State and local governments think they need money. They see taxing internet sales as a way to generate tax revenue that is not visible to the taxpayer. Since almost no one wants another tax, politicians think they can con the public into believing this is not a "new" tax, . 

This is a half-truth. A tax that we, as a non-resident company in your taxing district, don't collect, already exists in your taxing district. You are supposed to report the out-of-state purchase and send the local tax collector the amount of the tax. Some people do. Others do not, for what ever reason. If someone is unwilling to pay the tax directly, why should a company hundreds of miles away be asked to collect it for your local taxing authority?  And to do so without compensation for the bookkeeping cost and labor cost of doing it?

Yes. We collect tax for sales of Native American Jewelry to customers in our home state (Florida). And we get a small "commission" for doing so. We do so willingly. After all, we get the benefit of the infrastructure our local taxes support. 

By the way, there are thousands of separate taxing district in the country. Thousands of different sales tax rates. How can a small business keep track of all those rates and afford to file returns/reports for all of those taxing districts/rates? Doing so will only raise the cost to you as purchaser not just by the amount of the tax but also by the amount of the overhead for collecting and forwarding those taxes.

Hardly seems fair. And "fairness" is the other rationale proponents submit for creating this new tax collection protocol. They claim it is unfair for corner merchants to have to collect sales tax while internet merchants do not. Is it also unfair that online merchants have to pay (or collect for) shipping? Or that online merchants have to pay to design, maintain and host websites?

In the end, who pays for the government's greed? You do.

Here Comes the (Internet) Tax Man

Dear Customer: 

If you enjoy shopping on line and not having sales tax added to your purchase, trouble is on the horizon. 

Congress is considering a new law that will require online sales to be taxed at the rate in the buyers home state, even though the online seller is not located in that state. 

On passage, if it comes, the so-called Market Fairness Act, will require an online merchant - such as Native-American-Jewelry.org - located in Florida, to collect the Illinois sales tax from a buyer in Chicago. (what is it now? 10%?) In fact, if different counties and cities in Illinois have different sales tax rates, we will have to figure the sales tax for each town and county. This will be true for every district in every state with a sales tax. These tax rates will have to be added to your purchase price, in addition to the cost of shipping.

To be fair, some merchants complain that online merchants have an unfair advantage because they don't have to collect the tax that the local merchant does. 

Actually, the taxing authority requires the buyer to report the sale value and pay the tax directly to the authority. So, online purchases have not been tax-free. The online merchant just has not been required to incur the expese to collect the tax for a state in which it does not have a facility, or a vote and does not use the local infrastructure and services. (We used to call it "taxation without representation").

"Why are there online merchants, anyway", you might ask. 

1. Online merchants offer product inventory and selection that buyers can't find locally.

2. Online merchants tend to have lower prices, which benefit buyers.

3. Online merchants are available for buyers to easily compare prices.

4. Online merchants save buyers time, trouble and transport costs of shopping locally.

We have nothing against shopping locally. We do it ourselves.

But the advantages above will be diminished under the new law. And you, as a consumer will be the loser.

Why are some forces pushing for this law?

A. Governments need money and they are looking for ways to get it. Since they feel they can't trust you to pay the tax directly, they are conspiring to force someone else to do the dirty work, with no compensation to the online merchant for their efforts.

B. Large online merchants have facilities in states other than their headquarters. They must collect taxes there anyway.  To them this eliminates a benefit a small, specialized online merchant has, and squeezes a small business out. Ultimately, to the inconvenience of the public.

So, what can you do about it? Two things.

1. Let your Congressperson and Senator know you oppose the mis-named Market Fairness Act. 

2. Do your online shopping now, before the law can be passed and applied.

You'll save, and support small business in America. Thank you.

A day dedicated to Mom? It just doesn't seem right.

Given her significance in your life, dedicating just ONE day to mother seems totally inadequate. From carrying you for nine months (in considerable discomfort, I might add) to giving you your first kiss, you first hug, and your first meal, and all the hugs, kisses and meals thereafter, she is the embodiment of love. 

On this Mother's Day, May 12, just a few weeks from now, acknowledge all that your mother gave you with a vivid symbol of your heart-felt love.

Native American Navajo artists have created exquisite sterling silver heart pendants, finished with beautiful inlaid gemstones, that make unmistakable statements of love. One of the most prominent and popular Navajo jewelry designers is Calvin Begay. His designs and detailed inlay and channel work is cherished by moms who wear them, for both their beauty and their symbolism.

Any order placed with us at Native-American-Jewelry.org before April 28 can be shipped US Postal Service for arrival in plenty of time to surprise and thrill your Mother on Mother's Day. And the shipping cost is free, absorbed by us.

Choose the heart you want to represent your love, use our secure order form or call 1-800-305-0185 (also free) and tell us where to ship. We'll do the rest.

Happy Mother's Day to all of our beloved mothers.

PS: All our “Native American Jewelry” is authentically created by American Indian artists. Not “Southwest Style” look-alikes offered by some vendors, but the real thing. It is guaranteed to please or your purchase price will be refunded if it is returned with 10 days after Mother's Day 2013