Teddy Weahkee Zuni Turquoise Frog Fetish

Item: 1053

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

Media: Turquoise, shell, hide, sinew

Dimensions:  1.75″ long, 1″ tall

Description: This frog fetish is striking because of the beautiful turquoise used (diagnosed as turquoise #8 from a specific mine).  The mid body of the frog is wrapped with sinew that holds beads of shell, coral and turquoise. A small, white arrowhead is set on the center of its back.  The patina is wonderful, and shows signs of age and wear.

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