Begay
Bear 
Heavy
Navajo Black Bear Fetish Carving
This heavy and large black bear of highly polished Black Marble is simply exquisite.
His head is turned and the inlaid turquoise heartline is perfectly placed.
Carved
and signed by Navajo artist
Alex Begay.
Alex Begay is one of the most in demand Navajo fetish carvers. We were lucky to get this bear.
Begay Bear - Navajo Bear Fetish Carving
$65 plus s/h
Material | Black Marble, Turquoise |
Length | 3" |
Height | 1 1/2 " |
Width | 1 1/4" |
Hallmarks | A Begay (written in script) |
Artist | Alex Begay, Navajo |
The inlaid turquoise heart line on one side gives this fetish that added power.
The Heart Line and eyes are inlaid Turquoise.
What is a Fetish? A fetish is a rock carving of an animal that captures the spirit and the essence of the animal, not necessarily its exact detailed conformation. A double fetish represents relationship and unity. Read more about fetishes.
Bear.
The bear is a symbol of strength and deliberate action, introspection,
soul and insight for the past and the future. The Bear is one of the guardian
animals of the Six
Directions.
Heart Line. The heart line is a line etched, painted or inlaid along one or both sides of the animal. It usually extends from the mouth to the region of the heart. There are many interpretations as to what a heart line represents, but it is often said to represent the pathway of the breath of the animal to the life force which is the heart. Others feel that the heart line points to the soul of the animal. It is thought that a heart line gives the fetish healing or medicinal power.
Marble. Most marble is
90% calcite or dolomite. It is commonly white, brown, black and
mottled
or variegated.
Read more about stones.