"Zuni stone" of tans and browns, serpentine in hues of green, brown and white banded olivella shell and blue turquoise were used to create this necklace of 19 hand-carved bears strung with hand "rolled" heishi of shell and tubes of deep blue turquoise.
Each bear is carved in one of Edna's earlier styles, with more tapered, pointed feet, nose and ears. The eyes are inlay of contrasting materials. Bodes are rounded with smooth surface and subtle polished finish. Graduated in size, the largest are bottom center of each strand with four of the largest being pierced (drilled) through the body from side to side, an unusual holdover from earlier times.
Hand-made sterling silver cones gather the three strands into a wire wrap attached to a silver wire hook and eye clasp.
| Description | "Zuni stone" of tans and browns, serpentine in hues of green, brown and white banded olivella shell and blue turquoise were used to create this necklace of 19 hand-carved bears strung with hand "rolled" heishi of shell and tubes of deep blue turquoise. Each bear is carved in one of Edna's earlier styles, with more tapered, pointed feet, nose and ears. The eyes are inlay of contrasting materials. Bodes are rounded with smooth surface and subtle polished finish. Graduated in size, the largest are bottom center of each strand with four of the largest being pierced (drilled) through the body from side to side, an unusual holdover from earlier times. Hand-made sterling silver cones gather the three strands into a wire wrap attached to a silver wire hook and eye clasp. |
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| About the Artist | (1924-2003, Zuni) The daughter of famed Zuni fetish carver, Teddy Weahkee, her sister Mary Tsikewa also became known for carving fetishes. Edna's two daughters continued the tradition, Dinah Gasper and Lena Boone. |
| Culture | American Indian, Zuni, Women Artists |
| Medium | Zuni stone, Serpentine, Turquoise, Olivella shell, sterling silver |
| Size | Longest strand measures 30". |
| Date of creation | 1960's |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Provenance | PC & CB |