Zuni Fetish by Gibbs Othole, Boulder Opal Badger w/Turquoise & Red Coral Bundle

Description

Since 1982, Bryans Gallery has represented exceptional artistry of the Southwest and the Eight Northern Pueblos. We have estate and contemporary paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, rugs and baskets. Some of the finest rare examples of Southwestern American Indian arts and craft can be found in our gallery, a brick and mortar building in Taos, New Mexico. Our staff is knowledgeable and friendly. We are known for our customer satisfaction.
Zuni Fetish by well-known carver Gibbs Othole, large boulder
opal
badger with spirit bundle of turquoise, red coral and shell and inlaid turquoise eyes
. Approx: 1 5/8 x
4 1/8"
x 2 1/2".
Gibbs Othole started out his career as a silversmith around
1980. He switched to fetish carving in the 1990s. His carvings are traditional, and are done in very fine materials. As the elder member of the current Othole family, he has been very influential on numerous family members and neighbors. Gibbs
has taught and inspired great young fetish carvers, including Jeffery Tsalabutie, Loren Tsalabutie, Dee Edaakie, Burt Awelagate and Alonzo Esalio. He also
is a very religious man who has many religious duties for the Zuni. His religion shows in his carvings. Gibbs starts with a vision of what he plans to carve, based on what he sees in the stone. As he works, other ideas may appear to him, changing the form that the carving will
eventually
take. Gibbs ascribes this process to the stone taking over and dictating the result.
Fetishes and Their Meanings
Armadillo - Slow, sure, in no hurry, gets things right, keeper of the home
Badger - Boldness, perseverance, individuality, “south”
Bat - Guardian of the night, cleaner
Bear - Strength, introspection, power of the soul, lightens emotional burdens, “west”
Beaver - Builder, strong sense of family & home, Keeper of the waterways
Bobcat - (Lynx) - Secrets, Clairvoyance, in tune with higher self
Buffalo - Endurance to overcome, great emotional courage, provider of all
Coyote - Trickster, associated with laughter, humor. Works well in a group
Deer - Great power of gentleness
Dolphin - Clairvoyance, trust, loyalty and the spirit of friendship
Eagle - Creator, teacher, loyalty, great integrity, spirit connection to the divine. “Sky”
Elk - Strength, agility and freedom
Fish - Purifier, character, ability to hide emotions
Fox -Camouflage, protection, ingenuity, quickness, great passion
Frog -Cleansing, rainmaker, silently warns of danger, associated with abundance
Hawk - Messenger of the sky, observer
Horned Toad - Self-reliance, longevity, protects ancestral bounty
Horse - Protector of the flocks, power, swiftness, strength, enlightenment, possesses healing powers
Hummingbird - Messenger, stopper of time
Lizard - Dreamer, conservation, agility
Mole - Amplifies connection with the earth, protects the fields “underground”
Moose - Headstrong, unstoppable, longevity
Mountain Lion - Leadership, resourcefulness, great courage, high standards
“north”
Mouse - Timid, secretive, sneaky
Owl - Clairvoyance, wisdom, patience, mental endurance, keeper of the night
Otter - Laughter, curiosity, mischievous
Rabbit - Virtue, serenity, quiet talent, restrained passion
Raccoon - Bandit, shy resourceful
Ram - Sense of self-worth, assures an increase in flocks.
Raven - Magic, trickster, teacher, hoarder
Seal - Family oriented, possesses power in numbers
Sheep - Charity, elegance, passion, best at the arts, talents bring riches
Skunk - Wary, conspicuous, intense
Snake - Transmutation, life, death, rebirth
Squirrel - Natural intelligence, saver, protects reserves
Swan - Grace, ability to see the future,
intuition
Turkey - Smart, elusive, festive
Turtle - Longevity, fertility, symbol of Mother Earth, home and reliability
Whale - Record keeper, carrier of history, understanding
Wolf - Teacher, family oriented, warm, deeply spiritual, pathfinder, “East”