Proper right side.
Photograph by Jennifer Day. Copyright 2005 School for Advanced Research.
Carving, eagle
Date: c. 2000
Artist or Maker: Stewart Quandelacy (b. 1949)
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 1.9 × 6.4 cm (3/4 × 2 1/2 in.)
Weight: 12.19 g (0.43 oz.)
Medium: shell, green snail | stone, turquoise | obsidian | spiny oyster | artificial sinew
Credit Line: Bequest of Marie Byrne; recieved at the Indian Arts Research Center in 2005.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: SAR.2005-20-114
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit February 16 and 17, 2011 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 6”): The catalog description currently says this carving is of a “bird.” This should be changed to eagle. Artificial sinew is used to tie the items that are on the eagle’s back. The materials used are green snail shell (the eagle), spiny oyster (arrow), jet, and turquoise. The Zuni word for eagle is k’ya-k’ya-li.
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.