Authentic Native American Indian Animal Fetish Carvings

What is a Native American 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. Although carved from many types of rock, fishrock is traditional. Read more about fetishes.

Many fetishes have a medicine bundle or adornment tied on the back of the horse that often consists of coral seed beads, shell heishi, feathers and other stone pieces. The style and detail of carving varies among artists but usually includes detail on the face, ears, tail and mane. Often the eyes and other spots of adornment on the horse are inset pieces of contrasting stones such as turquoise, coral and others. Read more about stones.

Zuni Fetishes and Carvings
Types of Fetishes

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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".

Medicine Bag Fetish

A fetish can be transported in a medicine bag but it is said that only the mole is content in the darkness for long periods of time.

1 - Old and New

2 - How Fetishes are Made

3 - Animal Powers

4 - Uses

5 - Types of Fetishes

Personal Power Bags
with fetish, stone, sage

Authentic Native American Lakota spirit animal fetish of painted leather stuffed with sage

Animal Spirit Fetishes

CUSTOMER COMMENTS

"I ADORE all the fetishes. I knew I would, but one can not appreciate them until you have them in your hand. It is hard to explain the calm and peaceful feeling I have when holding them." KS

"All the fetishes are beautiful and as individual as ever. The rabbits are incredibly adorable and I cannot wait to get more. The horses are going to keep me coming back again and again. I really appreciate each artist's individual skill and differences in the rendering of the horse. I was completely taken with them all in an instant and if I doubted before, I do not now, that I am a diehard enthusiast. Even though the web site photos are fantastic and accurate, the fetishes are so much better in hand. They make me SMILE!!" - NL

"Oh the fetishes...... They are incredible and so very captivating. They capture you with their 'spirit'. The Russell Shack horse is amazing!! What presence!! The little pink pony is too cute. He will be going with me everywhere, from riding to going into town, and everywhere in between. The patterns of color in him are very pretty." NL

"I knew what fetishes were and had seen a few before, but was not expecting how utterly charming they are. They have their own little personalities. They will be getting some friends in the future." - Nancy

"I received the Mended Heart Horse Fetish today and it is really beautiful; better than I even imagined. Thank you so much for your prompt delivery of this lovely item." - L