Eagle Zuni Stone Carving in Picasso Marble

Description

Eagle Zuni Stone Carving in Picasso Marble with turquoise eyes, hand crafted by Gilbert Loujose of the Navajo. Genuine Zuni fetish, or totem, spirit or Power animal. Comes with certificate of Authenticity. Eagle for Vision and higher truths. Measures approximately 6 x 4 x 2cms. Weighs 41g. A good, chunky carving.

American Indians have used fetishes throughout recorded history. A fetish is an object believed to have magic powers. These, made by artists amongst the Zuni Indians of New Mexico and the Navajo people, all relate to animals and are carved in semi-precious stones or bones. The Zuni Indians believe in 6 cardinal guardian fetishes – the mountain lion, the badger, the wolf and the bear, the mole and the eagle. The power and strength of a fetish relates to the capabilities of the animal portrayed and is obtained by taking deep breaths from the fetish’s nostrils.

The Zuni People (the A:Shiwi) believe in six sacred directions. This was established by Po’shai an k’ia, the God of the Medicine societies. He made an appearance in human form and taught the ancestors of Zuni, Taos, Oriabi (Hopi) and Coconino (Havasupai) about agriculture, introduced their systems of worship and organized their medicine societies. And when he disappeared it is said he departed to the “Place of the Sun” – his homeland. At the time when all human beings were of one family the father, Po’shai a ki’a, lived with his family in the middle place at the centre of the Medicine societies of the world. Being guarded on six sides by his warriors or bow priests. On the north, the Mountain Lion. Toward the west, the Bear. In the south, the Badger. Toward the east, the Wolf and above by the Eagle.

Eagle is the guardian fetish of the Upper region. Eagle carries the power of intuition and creativeness, along with the powers of healing and spirit. His spirit transcends personal problems and he symbolizes becoming one with the Greater Spirit. He represents vision and higher truths. He is the younger brother of the wolf and the older brother of the mole. The Eagle is the messenger to the gods and his fetish represents power, balance, dignity, vision, higher truth and grace. In Zuni culture a fetish represents the animal spirit thought to reside in the stone. The eagle is found in both the healing and the hunter directional fetish sets.

Our supplier – Brave Designs – operates a fair trade policy and all prices are set by either the manufacturer or individual designer. The Navajo Nation has been decimated by recent events and ongoing poverty, and now has the highest per capita rate of infection than New York. 40% already live below the poverty line. Delays in getting medical supplies, limited access to food stores, hospitals and even access to running water in overcrowded homes and the indifference of the government have all exacerbated the problem. Brave Designs is pledging 15% of all purchases in support of the Navajo people.

Free shipping. Discount is refunded on 5+ assorted purchases.