Dawn
and Dusk 
Authentic Zuni Fetish Carvings Six Directions Set
Six
Directions Set - Dawn and Dusk
$295 plus
s/h (insurance included)
All
Zuni Set
Scale of set: Largest piece (Bear) is 2" long
Mountain Lion by Zuni artist Lorae Lonasee from Argite with Turquoise arrowhead adornment and Turquoise inlaid eyes.
Bear by Zuni artist Alex Tsethlikai from Dolomite with Turquoise inlaid eyes. Signed "AT"
Badger by Zuni artist Randy Lucio from Picasso Marble with Turquoise inlaid eyes. Signed "RL"
Wolf by Zuni artist Wilford Cachini from Fishrock with Turquoise inlaid eyes. Signed "WC ZUNI"
Eagle by Zuni artist Andres Lementino from Soapstone with Turquoise inlaid eyes. Signed "AL"
Mole by Zuni artist Ephron Chavez from Dolomite with Turquoise inlaid eyes. Signed "E Chavez ZUNI"
Six Directions Set
© 2007 Cherry Hill © Copyright Information
The Zuni define their world in terms of directions with their home and village and its inhabitants in the "Middle Place" at the center of the world. From there radiate the six directions - the four cardinal directions (North, South, East West) and the Upper Dimension and the Lower Dimension.
The home is guarded on each side by the animal guardian of each of the six regions. Often a group of six fetishes representing the six directions are placed in the home as a set to protect the home.
The hierarchy is as follows:
- The mountain lion guards the North.
- The bear guards the West.
- The badger guards the South.
- The wolf guards the East.
- The eagle guards the Upper Dimension or the Sky.
- The mole guards the Lower Regions or the Earth.
Various animals represent certain powers.
- Mountain Lion - Leadership, Protection for Travelers and Success for Hunters
- Bear - Soul Strength, Power from Within, Introspection, Healing
- Badger - Aggressiveness, Perseverance
- Wolf - Teacher, Pathfinder, Clarity, Survival
- Eagle - Spirit, Vision, Truth, a link to the Great Spirit
- Mole - The Protector of the Underworld and Crops, Awareness, Introspection
Some Zuni artists carve all six fetishes out of one piece of stone – this is a very rare Six Directions set.
Another approach is to carve one fetish, say the badger, larger and then to tie the other five fetishes, carved in a smaller scale, to the badger.
A more common grouping is a display of the six fetishes, all in approximately the same scale, on a natural setting such as one made with rocks and wood.
Most Native American tribes use fetishes in one way or another and many tribes carve fetishes. The southwestern tribes excel at stone, antler and shell carvings and the Zuni is the most noted carvers of all the southwestern tribes. Because of that Zuni fetishes are often very expensive. Very nice carvings by Navajo carvers are available at more affordable prices. Therefore, we have indicated all the information we have on each piece in each set. Some sets are made up of all Zuni carvings, others are a combination of carvings by Zuni and Navajo artists.
Once you purchase a set, you can always replace one particular animal with a carving by one of your other favorite artists.
We
hope that you find a Six Directions Set
that speaks out to you and
enhances your home
and that you enjoy yours as much as we do ours.