Bernie Laselute Zuni Southwestern Coatimundi Fetish Serpentine Raccoon Family

Description

The Zuni Indians are a pueblo tribe from western New Mexico who have inhabited that region since at least 1100 AD.  Zuni fetishes are hand carved pieces of natural materials, depicting animals or other symbols of the Zuni connection to nature and all that is.  These fine carvings have many uses: for trade, religious ceremonial use, luck in hunting, ensuring rain, enhancing fertility and propagation, diagnosing and curing disease, or any area of their lives where they feel help is needed.
Beautifully carved from serpentine and featuring lovely details.  This coatimundi fetish by well known Zuni carver Bernie Laselute showcases the craftsman’s expertise.  The coatimundi is set with turquoise eyes.  It is finished with carved fur which accent the piece beautifully.
Bernie particularly enjoys carving realistic and detailed lizards, reptiles, and exotic animals that are both bold and delicate in appearance.  Lance Cheama was an early mentor who helped Bernie develop his talent.
Bernie's cousin is the well known carver, Dan Quam, and his grandfather was Dallas Quam (d).
Picture a raccoon with a slimmer body and a longer tail and a snout. Add white fur around the eyes and nose, and you have the white-nosed coatimundi, the only species of this raccoon relative found in the United States.
In Arizona, coatimundis inhabit the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, with ranges including the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix and the Huachuca Mountains southeast of Tucson. Coatimundis sleep in trees and prefer elevations of 4,500 to 7,500 feet, but they occasionally travel to lower deserts in winter. Look for them while strolling pine-oak woodlands or sycamore-studded canyons.
This fetish comes from my personal collection, I purchased it new in the 1990's.  I have collected Southwestern items since the 1970's.
Never out of style, Southwestern art is an investment in enjoyment to last a lifetime.
Questions???  Please ask before purchasing to avoid any misunderstandings.
Measurements:  2 1/2" long x 3/4" tall x 1/2" wide
You can see more Native American items in my eBay store.