Zuni Jewelry Appraisal

Native American Zuni Fetish Bear Necklace

This is a multicolored Native American Zuni fetish necklace featuring hand-carved bear figures. The necklace consists of approximately 16 individual bear fetishes, each carved from a different type of stone, exhibiting a wide array of natural colors including various shades of turquoise, white, amber, rust, olive green, gray, and dark blue (lapis lazuli perhaps). Each bear is uniquely shaped, typically ranging from approximately 0.5 to 1 inch in length, with the largest, a vibrant blue bear, appearing as a focal point at the bottom center. The bears are strung individually along a thin, dark brown cord, likely leather or a synthetic equivalent, with small, possibly heishi-style, spacer beads between each fetish. The bears themselves are drilled through from back to front, allowing them to hang horizontally. The cord extends upwards, transitioning into a segment of tiny, cylindrical, dark-colored beads (possibly hematite or another dark stone) that form the upper part of the necklace. The necklace is fastened with a simple hook-and-eye style clasp, which appears to be made of a dark-toned metal, possibly copper or oxidized silver, correlating with traditional Native American jewelry findings. The overall craftsmanship suggests a handcrafted origin, indicative of Zuni or other tribal artistry known for fetish carvings. There are no obvious signs of significant damage, repairs, or excessive wear visible in the images; the stones appear generally smooth with natural variations and some slight surface patina might be present on the cord or clasp due to age and handling. The carving style is somewhat simplified but clearly represents bear forms, prized for their symbolic meaning of strength and courage in many Native American cultures. Given the 'jewelry box of Native American items' context, this piece likely dates from the mid to late 20th century.