Description
Southwestern Zuni Sterling Silver Fetish Turquoise Watch Bracelet Native American Zuni, mens or women,s sterling silver bear fetish with natural turquoise chunks and toggle clasp for watch or centerpiece. Marked 925, double circle and dollar sign marking. No damage. It has beautifully grained bright natural turquoise nuggets and sterling silver animal fetish charms. Size is 6.5″ long end to end with the toggle clasped as you see in the photo. Width is 7/8″ across the bead ends and 1/2″ across the double turquoise strands. A lovely sterling fetish bracelet for your Native American or Southwestern watch or centerpiece.
About Zuni Fetish Jewelry: (WIKI)
Zuni fetishes are small carvings made from various materials by the Zuni. These carvings have traditionally served a ceremonial purpose for their creators and depict animals and icons integral to their culture. As a form of contemporary Native American Art, they are sold with secular intentions to collectors worldwide.
Materials:
Traditionally, the materials used by carvers were often indigenous to the region or procured by trade. The most important of these materials was turquoise which the Zuni regard as the sacred stone. Jet, shell (primarily mother of pearl), and coral are also frequently used. These materials and their associated colors are principle in the Zuni sunface, a cultural symbol which is present in Zuni jewelry and fetishes and represents their sun father.
Other materials used are travertine or “Zuni rock”, fishrock, jasper, pipestone ,marble or organic items such as fossilized ivory, bone, and deer or elk antler. Even artificial substances such asslag glass are used. But historically the most-used stone has been serpentine, a local soft stone found abundantly in the Zuni Mountains and also in Arizona. In recent years Zuni carvings, or fetishes, have become popular collectibles and Zuni artisans have familiarized themselves with materials available from all parts of the world in order to serve the aesthetic tastes of collectors.[
