One of our favorite Zuni artists is retiring.

Lena Boone's Zuni carving heritage goes back to the legendary Teddy Weahkee (d.), one of the first Zuni artists to carve fetish creatures, arguably the very first carve them as an art form.

Born in 1946, Lena has worked enough years to decide to stop carving. This is a considerable loss to collectors of Zuni fetish carvings. Lena and her sister, Dinah (Gasper), were daughters of the Teddy's daughter, Edna Leki (d.), who was also a highly collected carver.

Dinah was married to Peter Gasper Sr. (d.). There offspring included carvers, Debra Gasper (Tsethlikai) and Peter Gasper, Jr. All of who carried on the carving tradition.

Lena, who was married to Rignie Boone (d.), has two children, Evalena Boone and Leland Boone. Both continue to carve.

While Lena is retiring, her influence continues in her nephew, Robert Michael Weahkee. Lena has been a major mentor and inspiration for Robert Michael Weahkee. In fact, it was Lena who first introduced ZuniLink.com to Robert Micheal Weahkee's work. It was in Santa Fe, NM, where we had agreed to meet Lena so she could deliver new carvings we were purchasing from her. At the conclusion of that transaction, she excitedly asked us to join her at her car. She opened the trunk and eagerly presented new antler altar carvings  by Robert Michael. This was our first encounter with his carvings and the first time we had even learned about him. We were impressed by their artistry and immediately acquired them,

It was the continuation of a beautiful friendship with the Weahkee family. We continue to visit with Lena, Evalena, Leland and Robert Michael at her Zuni home each year.

What customarily happens when an artist stops creating is a rush to acquire his or her work that is still on the market. This is often followed by a price increase inspired by decreasing supply of new carvings. As a matter of principle, we refuse to engage in this behavior. We will continue offer all of the work we have by Lena,for as long as we have items to sell, at the original prices,

ZuniLink.com encourages you to take advantage what is available. We also encourage you to consider the work of Lena's Weahkee family, all of which is outstanding. Elah kwa.

A primer on Six Directions of Zuni fetishes.

As one becomes fascinated by Zuni fetish carvings, it is almost inevitable that the collector will learn about the six Zuni directions and the carved animals that are associated with them.

So, how did this association come to be?

The spiritual father of all Zuni people, who was responsible for the creation and understanding of Zuni fetishes, determined that the Zuni people ("A Shiwi") were to be protected in areas surrounding their home.

The protector in the North was designated as the mountain lion.

The protector in the South was designated as the badger.

To the West, the bear was appointed as the protector.

In the East, it was the Wolf.

Protector of the upper reaches, was logically the eagle, who could soar for endless periods while maintaining watch over the people.

The responsibility for protection in the netherworld or underground was given to the mole, who burrows through the earth unseen but senses all that threatens underfoot.

The protectors also were associated with specific colors, although that "rule" has been largely superseded by the tendency to carve animals in whatever material of whatever color is available to the Zuni carver at the time.

These protective fetish carvings are considered "healers". Another set of six directional animals is considered the "hunting" set, with two of the six healing animals being replaced by animals recognized for their prowess as hunters. Coyote takes the place of the bear and bobcat replaces the badger. These animals are considered to have special powers as predators, which they transfer to the owner of the carving.

The Six Direction sets of Zuni fetish carvers

Possibly the most impressive single 6 directions carving the writer
has ever encounter. Although, to tell the truth, it is more than one piece.
The separate mole lodges in a depression in the base.

Among the wealth of beautiful and significant Zuni fetish carvings, Six Direction sets stand out. They are created by several Zuni Pueblo carvers, in several different forms.

Jayne Quam, for example, who lives with her Zuni husband and family on the Zuni Pueblo, has created them with larger single animals, usually moles, and smaller animals of the six directions bound to the exterior with sinew. Also included in the sinew often are nuggets of turquoise, coral, shell or heishi beads. Marlo Booqua also builds on a single mole, as has Daisy Natewa.

Daisy and LaVies Natewa have also created six direction sets with the underlying animal being a badger.

On the other hand, some Zuni carvers create six directions sets carved within a single stone.  Wilfred Cheama is noteworthy in this category. Colin Weeka has also carved a single specimen with six animals

Finally, some Zuni and other carvers create six separate free-standing animals of about the same size, of the same or different materials. The antler carvings of Brian Yatsattie stand out, as do the sets of Stewart Quandelacy, Lorandina Scheche, Robert Michael Weahkie and San Felipe carver, Melvin Sandoval.


All of these examples are sourced from the NEW website of ZuniLink.com. Enjoy.

PS: The carving pictured above was done by Jeff Shetima, in onyx with meticulous inlay. It was judged Best of Category at the 2010 Gallup Inter-tribal Arts and Crafts Competition and is now in our personal collection.

Caution: As a collector of Zuni fetish carvings, you probably will become enamored of six direction sets. When that happens, you will start acquiring fetish carvings by the sixes instead of individually.

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

New Dee Edaakie Carvings

We are working fast and furiously, well, not "furiously", more like joyously, to post up new fetish carvings that we acquired this summer for our ZuniLink web site.

The latest batch is from Dee Edaakie.

Here are three examples:

Buffalo in boulder opal

Standing bear in Chiapas amber

Bear in picture rock

Since we are running late, we are marking down all of Dee's work, even his older pieces, by 25% just through Friday, November 26.

If you see one (or more) that you want to buy at this special discounted price, use the order code "DeeLights" when you order. The discount will be applied to your purchase.

To see more of Dee's work, go to ZuniLink and look through Dee's pages.

Historical Use of Zuni Fetishes

This guest post was written by Zoe Lancaster, a writer and analyst for MBA Admission Essay Blog

With the increasing interest in Zuni crafts, particularly Zuni fetishes, perhaps it's just right to delve on the roots of these masterpieces before they became collectibles. And it's interesting to note that these historical uses of Zuni fetishes have modern followers.

Traditional background

Traditionally, fetishes were found items, not crafted objects. The Zuni people believed that these stones were spiritual manifestations of the animals they resembled. As such, these fetishes contained the powers and characteristics of these animals. These fetishes were not worshiped as idols, as some early missionaries thought. In fact, these items were merely messengers to the gods and spirits. They assisted in the Zunis' communication with the divine. This can be likened to praying or meditation, wherein channels are used for clearer and more effective spiritual conversation.

Using Zuni fetishes

To begin to use fetishes, the item can be held by the hands. These can also be placed in front. Prayer and meditation begins. The person needs to keep in mind the intrinsic qualities of the animal symbols before him or her. This is the best way to channel the fetish's most powerful qualities. As Tom Bahti, renowned anthropologist, puts it, they are used to "assist man, that most vulnerable of all living creatures, in meeting the problems that face him during his life. Each fetish contains a living power which, if treated properly and with veneration, will give its help to its owner."

Within the web of life

Among the different animal fetishes, the holiest are those that have the least relation to man. Say, for example, one has dog and snake fetishes. The snake fetish is deemed more holy because of its distance from man. The dog, on the contrary, lives with man and is therefore closer to man than the divine. Of all animal fetishes, perhaps it is the bear, which is the most valued mediator between man and the divine. This stems from the physical attribute of the animal, as it closely resembles man. At the same time, it is distant to man, and survives life closer to the divine because of its mystery and power. Because of these two traits, tradition values the bear fetish as one of the best channels between man and the gods.

When carving fetishes began

When the tradition of carving fetishes began, this was first deemed as less powerful than found fetishes. Of these carved items, those done by people who have special wisdom of the healing and spiritual powers of fetishes were said to have greater powers. The sizes of fetishes vary; although typically, one can find them in lengths between three and twelve inches. Each of these carved crafts is a manifestation of the animals they represent. They may have heads of humans, serpents and other animals. Its legs and arms can either be etched or carved. The body of these crafts is made of either stone, clay, shell or bones. Other materials can be used, although these are more seldom. They are made more potent by etchings and symbols on the fetish or the jars they inhabit.

Regardless of the owner's background, Zuni fetishes must be cared for and valued as they traditionally deserve. Many Zunis and even outsiders still believe that these crafts are ways toward spiritual upliftment. These traditions should be respected, if not practiced.
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Thank you to our guest blogger, Zoe Alexander, for her excellent explanation of Zuni fetish carvings and their relation to owners. William Ernest and Susanne Waites, proprietors of ZuniLink.com Here's an example of a typical crafted Zuni bear fetish carving:

New Zuni Fetish Home Page at ZuniLink

We have redesigned the home page at http://www.ZuniLink.com to improve loading time and make navigation easier.

We'd appreciate feedback.

Did make it better? Or is it same old, same old?

You can comment to this blog or email us at sanibelart@comcast.net .

Did you know Dru?

Dru Anne Doyle, formerly Director of Merchandising and Product Development at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis and now Manager of Sales and Marketing at Ocean's Reach Condominium Association on Sanibel Island Florida, has been elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.

Dru left her museum post in Indianapolis to settle on Sanibel in 2007. We remember her well from the various shows and events where we would see her when she was a buyer for the Eiteljorg and we were buying for our websites at ZuniLink, Native-JewelryLink and Native-PotteryLink .

Since I also am a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber board, I look forward to seeing her very smiling face and positive view of life at future meetings. (But, of course, we miss her in the Native and Tribal Arts field.)

Sad News - Pernell Laate, Zuni Carver

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Pernell Laate, a well-known and highly respected Zuni carver. Pernell was the brother of Maxx Laate, another carver of remarkable talent, whose work has been shown on our website at ZuniLink.

We extend our condolences to the Laate family and all those at Zuni Pueblo who knew, loved and worked with Pernell Laate.