HK Item #FB1033

"Wild Heart"
Bennie Bacy, Zuni - Bear Fetish Carving

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Authentic Native American Zuni Bear Fetish carving of Picasso marble by Bennie Bacy

materials	Picasso marble, turquoise, shell heishi, Read about stones
length	2 1/8"
width	1/2"
height	1 "
hallmarks	inscribed: BB Zuni
artist	Bennie Bacy, Zuni

Bennie Bacy's work is featured in Zuni Fetishes and Carvings by Kent McManis.

Authentic Native American Zuni Bear Fetish carving of Picasso marble by Bennie Bacy

Medicine bundle of turquoise and shell heishi.

"Wild Heart"
Bennie Bacy, Zuni
Bear Fetish Carving

FB1033 - $82 plus s/h
(ONLY ONE AVAILABLE)

Paula says - "A very handsome bear with an exquisite 3-D turquoise heart line by one of my favorite bear carvers."

Authentic Native American Zuni Bear Fetish carving of Picasso marble by Bennie Bacy

Inlaid turquoise eyes, nose, mouth and heartline.

Authentic Native American Zuni Bear Fetish carving of Picasso marble by Bennie Bacy

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See More Bear Carvings

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. Read more about fetishes.

Bear

Bear is considered the most powerful of all of the animals and is one of the most popular subjects of fetish carvers. Bear is a spiritual guide and represents strength and self-knowledge. He has supernatural powers, great healing powers. Bear is a symbol deliberate action, introspection, soul and insight for the past and the future. The Bear is the guardian of the West an is one of the 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.

What is a Medicine Bundle?

Many fetishes have a medicine bundle, offering bundle, or adornment tied onto the animal that consists of turquoise nuggets, coral seed beads, shell heishi, feathers and other stone pieces. The bundle may be an offering to the fetish, to used evoke the spirit of the fetish or to increase the strength of a fetish.

What is Picasso Marble?

Picasso marble is a type of limestone found in Utah. When the ocean covered Southern Utah, shells from tiny sea animals turned into limestone. Later, heat and pressure from within the earth caused calcite in the limestone to recrystallize into marble. Seams and cracks in the limestone filled with minerals such as clay, mica, quartz, and iron oxides to give the stone a wide variety of patterns and colors - tans, browns, greys, white and black. The rock's name comes from the resemblance of the markings to the paintings of Pablo Picasso. It is perhaps the most popular rock among Zuni carvers, although it has only been used in Zuni since the 1980s.

Zuni Fetishes and Carvings
Types of Fetishes

Fetish Necklace

The use of small carved animals on Native American necklaces is a modern invention for the market. It is not traditional to use a fetish, per se, on a necklace or as jewelry.

Table Fetish

Table fetishes stand on a flat surface for viewing. They come in various scales with the 2-inch scale being the size most commonly sold today.

Pocket Fetish

A fetish can be carried when the power of the animal is desired to help the person with a routine task or an obstacle or problem. Pocket fetishes might help with safe travel, a successful venture or "hunt", a good yield or "crop".