Featured Stone bear

Discussion in 'Tribal Art' started by Potteryplease, May 27, 2024.

  1. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    I'm unable to find any info on this stone bear carving.

    The cord / string looks right but maybe it's too large to be a traditional fetish? Perhaps the stone is serpentine.

    It's large: 3.5" tall, 5" long (9 x 13 cm).

    The thing that gets my attention is the seeming signature (enhanced here with flour).

    Thank you for any comments or suggestions about origins.

    IMG_9715.jpeg IMG_9716.jpeg IMG_9717.jpeg IMG_9718.jpeg IMG_9723.jpeg IMG_9719.jpeg IMG_9721.jpeg
     
    Potteryplease, May 27, 2024
    #1 + Quote Reply
    nastina.nastea, crowleys, Boland and 7 others like this.
  2. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    You are correct that it is not a traditional fetish in the sense of an object invested with spiritual power. This one looks like Zuni work, made for the tourist/collector market. I can't tell if we're looking at initials (FM?) or a big Z for Zuni. That sharp, deep, rectilinear cut that separates the legs is no doubt distinctive of a particular artisan or family of artisans.
     
    Bronwen, May 27, 2024
    #2 + Quote Reply
    crowleys, Boland, komokwa and 2 others like this.
  3. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    it does look legit for NA !
     
    komokwa, May 27, 2024
    #3 + Quote Reply
    Bronwen, crowleys and Potteryplease like this.
  4. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    Thank you for those valued insights.

    I'm glad to hear you think so!
     
    Potteryplease, May 27, 2024
    #4 + Quote Reply
    Bronwen and komokwa like this.
  5. Boland

    Boland Well-Known Member

    Very cool!
     
    Boland, May 27, 2024
    #5 + Quote Reply
    Bronwen and Potteryplease like this.
  6. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    Potteryplease, May 27, 2024
    #6 + Quote Reply
    Bronwen likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Stone bear
Forum Title Date
Tribal Art Carved green soapstone bear - is this mark Inuit? Aug 21, 2020
Tribal Art Bear In Stone - Not Tribal Nov 15, 2019
Tribal Art Inuit Stone Figurine Identifications - Large Polar Bear Aug 2, 2018
Tribal Art Zuni fetish? stone bear Artist mark help Jul 6, 2017
Tribal Art Small African green stone bust Sep 5, 2024

Share This Page