Here is a lovely hand carved bear fetish by Zuni artist Prudencia Quam. The bear is skillfully carved from a beautiful piece of Honey Onyx. The golden Onyx is banded with whites giving it the feel of a cloudy desert sunset.
All bear fetishes are considered to have healing properties but this specific bear is known as a "medicine bear" who's sole purpose is to bring its owner greater health. The characteristics that set apart a medicine bear fetish from any other bear fetish are its rounded back and low hanging head.
Prudencia Quam is a well-known fetish carver with a unique style all her own. She is the daughter of famous fetish carver Andrew Emerson Quam and is married to Vernon Lunasee who is well known for his fetishes. Prudencia and Vernon often work together.
