This is a beautiful, single-strand Zuni fetish necklace hand-carved from fossilized ivory by the respected Zuni husband-and-wife team of Peter and Dinah Gasper. Peter and Dinah Gasper are celebrated Zuni carvers known for their high-quality, detailed fetish work. They are recognized for carving a broad range of animals and for innovations such as early use of heartline inlays and silver hallmarks on their pieces. Fossil ivory is a prized material in Zuni fetish jewelry because of its beauty, durability, and connection to ancient natural history.

This necklace features dozens of small, individually hand-carved animal fetishes strung along a brown cord. Each tiny carving is detailed and polished, creating a lively menagerie that drapes gracefully. Central pendant is charming, larger frog/toad at the bottom center, serving as the focal point. A wide variety of creatures including many birds (some in flight or perched), fish, additional frogs, and other animals like bears, owls, or small mammals. The carvings show excellent attention to form, with naturalistic shapes and subtle textural details carved out of a creamy fossil ivory with natural variations in tone ranging from off-white to light honey colors. Fossil ivory often has a beautiful aged patina and subtle grain. Zuni fetish necklaces like this are not just decorative and in traditional Zuni culture, the individual animal carvings (fetishes) carry spiritual significance, each representing specific qualities or powers associated with that animal. This necklace is a wonderful example of contemporary Zuni carving that blends traditional techniques with wearable art. Pieces by the Gaspers are sought after by collectors of Native American jewelry and fetish art.

Length: 32″