Zuni and Navajo Fetishes

Auction Details

In 1978 I was badly injured in a plane crash. My convalescence was slow and steady, and I used alternative healing sources such as acupuncture and vegetable juice. When I finally returned to work, I laid on a picnic table in my office with my phone near my head because my back was immobile. One day shortly after I returned to work, a Zuni fellow came to my office placed fetishes around me, laid his hands on me, and proceeded to chant. He repeated the process several times a week for about six weeks. From that, I learned to appreciate and acknowledge the significance and power of fetishes to the Zuni people. I was told that my healing would be about five years. I was playing racquetball and skiing within six months. While I don’t attribute my healing solely to fetishes, I don’t discount their significance. As with any religious activity, I believe the symbolism strengthens hope and determination. I appreciate fetishes and the Zuni faith in them.
Most tribes have fetishes in their culture; but none to the extent of the Zuni people. Fetishes to them represent directions (6) and creatures that are synonymous with admirable characteristics such as strength, speed, flight, and solitude. To receive the magic and healing with a fetish, a person places the fetish to his mouth and inhales.
Fetishes are adored as a reflection of personal care. Much like a woman wears
makeup and earrings, a fetish feels good when it is adorned. And, like a woman, when it feels good about its care, it is more likely to respond with positive energy for its owner (the fetish, not the woman). In Zuni, fetishes are owned by individuals and clans. They typically live in a bowl with turquoise for prosperity, ashes for warmth, and cornmeal for food. Adornment such as arrowheads do not mean the fetish is for hunting.
We will ship FEDEX or USPS.
# Rows102050100
Choose Your Layout > Switch to Grid View Switch to List View
Deyuse Leekya turquoise fetish1A - Deyuse Leekya turquoise fetish
John D Kennedy
Deyuse Leekya is the most prominent of the famous Zuni artists and craftsmen. No other Zuni craftsman has the standing of Old Man Leekya and his carv
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 7,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Deyuse Leekya fetish 2nd view1B - Deyuse Leekya fetish 2nd view
John D Kennedy
Additional view
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 7,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Deyuse Leekya fetish 3rd view1C - Deyuse Leekya fetish 3rd view
John D Kennedy
Additional view
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 7,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Deyuse Leekya fetish 4th view1D - Deyuse Leekya fetish 4th view
John D Kennedy
Additional view
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 7,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Deyuse Leekya fetish 5th view1E - Deyuse Leekya fetish 5th view
John D Kennedy
Additional view
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 7,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Deyuse Leekya photo1F - Deyuse Leekya photo
John D Kennedy
1950's photo for reference. Copy will be provided with sale.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 7,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Amber fetish necklace by Ron Upshaw2A - Amber fetish necklace by Ron Upshaw
John D Kennedy
Ron Upshaw was one of brothers of the well-known fetish carvers. The brothers, under the guidance of their dad, Frank Turpen and his trading partner,
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Amber Fetish necklace by Ron Upshaw 2nd photo2B - Amber Fetish necklace by Ron Upshaw 2nd photo
John D Kennedy
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Amber fetish necklace by Ron Upshaw 3rd photo2C - Amber fetish necklace by Ron Upshaw 3rd photo
John D Kennedy
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Amber beads carved by Ron Upshaw.3A - Amber beads carved by Ron Upshaw.
John D Kennedy
Ron Upshaw was one of brothers of the well-known fetish carvers. The brothers, under the guidance of their dad, Frank Turpen and his trading partner,
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Amber beads carved by Ron Upshaw. 2nd photo3B - Amber beads carved by Ron Upshaw. 2nd photo
John D Kennedy
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Amber beads carved by Ron Upshaw. 3rd photo3c - Amber beads carved by Ron Upshaw. 3rd photo
John D Kennedy
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Rainbow inlay fetish by Prudencia Quam4A - Rainbow inlay fetish by Prudencia Quam
John D Kennedy
Fetish was carved in the 80s by Prudencia Quam at Zuni. There are two inserts. The larger (shown) was made by Fred and Lolita Natachu. They made fo
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 700.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Rainbow inlay fetish by Prudencia Quam 2nd photo4B - Rainbow inlay fetish by Prudencia Quam 2nd photo
John D Kennedy
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 700.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Zuni Fetish by Prudencia Quam with Bowannie inserts5A - Zuni Fetish by Prudencia Quam with Bowannie inserts
John D Kennedy
Fetish was carved in the 80s by Prudencia Quam at Zuni. There are two inserts. Both inserts were made by Fred and Rosalie Bowannie of Zuni. They ma
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 500.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Zuni Fetish by Prudencia Quam with Bowannie inserts  2nd photo5B - Zuni Fetish by Prudencia Quam with Bowannie inserts 2nd photo
John D Kennedy
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 500.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Miniature Pottery Necklace by Daisy Nampeyo6A - Miniature Pottery Necklace by Daisy Nampeyo
John D Kennedy
Daisy Nampeyo was a granddaughter of the famous Hopi potter, Nampeyo. Her mother was Anne Healing Nampeyo. While a teenage she lived in Paris and s
Bidding Has Concluded
 
Sold to paixman for (200.00 + 0.00BP) = 200.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Photo of Daisy Nampeyo and Georgiana Kennedy 19756B - Photo of Daisy Nampeyo and Georgiana Kennedy 1975
John D Kennedy
Additional information
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 0.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
# Rows102050100