Carving, turtle
Date: before 2006
Dimensions:
5.4 × 5 × 2.3 cm (2 1/8 × 1 15/16 × 7/8 in.)
Medium: stone, Picasso marble | turquoise
Credit Line: Bequest of Estelle Rebec; received at the Indian Arts Research Center in 2006.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: SAR.2007-1-135
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit June 20 and 21, 2012 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 8”): The materials used are Picasso marble (turtle) and turquoise (eyes, inlaid). The designs on the turtle are a spiral, which may be a migration symbol, stepped clouds (on the turtle’s back, above its tail), and kolowisi (on the right side of the turtle’s shell). There is no carving on the left side of the turtle’s shell. The piece is signed “Zuni // ’99. // C.Y.” The “Zuni” is carved into the bottom of the front left foot. The “ ’99.” is carved into the bottom of the back left foot. The “C.Y.” is carved into the underside of the belly, and the letters are embellished, reminiscent of a pottery design. Mr. Enote and Mr. Seowtewa suggested that the “Y” in the signature might refer to the Yamuntewa family, and the artist may be a member of that family.
Though small carvings such as this, usually depicting an animal, are frequently referred to as “fetishes,” it is important to note that they are not true fetishes. True fetishes are made and used specifically for spiritual or ceremonial purposes and uses. This type of item, however, is made specifically for sale. It is more appropriate to refer to commercially-made figures of this type as “carvings.”
Carvings produced for commercial purposes depict a wide variety of animals, but there are only six animal depictions that can become true fetishes. They are animals that are associated with the six directions, which are each associated with a particular color. The six animals should be carved from a stone that is the color of the associated direction. The six animals and their corresponding directions/colors are: Mountain Lion-North-Yellow; Bear-West-Blue; Badger-South-Red; Wolf-East-White; Eagle-Sky (Up)-Multi-color; Mole or Shrew-Underworld (Below)-Black. Any of these six animal carvings can become a true fetish, IF it is given a spiritual life by certain Zuni religious leaders. These fetishes would be used by Zuni people for protection, and by Zuni hunters, depending on which animal is chosen for the fetish, for assistance in the hunt.
In Collection(s)
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.