Teddy Weahkee Zuni antler Animal Fetish

Item: 1062

Origin:  Teddy Weahkee, Zuni
Date: First half of the 20th C.

Media: Antler, jet, sinew

Dimensions:  2.25″ long

Description: This bear (?) is simply stated and carved of antler with sinew around the mid body holding a jet stone arrowhead. Its eyes are likely filled in with the same jet stone. This bear has a very pleasing sense about her, and is ever so sweet. The arrowhead is very well carved, very much a signature of Teddy’s work.

These figures were made for tourist trade, and are some of the earlier items made during that period that bridged the authentic objects used for tribal rituals and then those sold to tourists.  While this is a tourist object, it is an early example of that transition period.

Provenance: This single fetish was acquired along with 14 others, all from the Tres Compadres Ranch of the McMahon family of Houston, TX. Patricia Bennett McMahon (1929-2017) and her sister had one of the early art galleries in Santa Fe, NM.

Price: SOLD