Zuni Pueblo Fetish Necklace and Earrings with Fish Fetishes

The "River of Fish":

A Masterwork Zuni Fetish Necklace and Earring Suite

While traditional Zuni fetish necklaces typically feature multi-strand heishi beads with animals spaced a few inches apart, this particular piece is a breathtaking departure from the norm. It is an "unbroken" school of over 100 hand-carved fish fetishes, creating a fluid, shimmering effect that mirrors the natural movement of a river.

The artist's choice of materials is nothing short of ingenious. By utilizing a wide array of organic seashells and minerals, the creator has captured a vivid, underwater palette — iridescent whites, deep purples, vibrant oranges, jet blacks, and rainbow — hued mother-of-pearl. Each fish has been meticulously carved to take advantage of the shell's natural grain and luster, giving the "school" a lifelike, multidimensional glow. Every single one of the 100+ fish features hand-set eyes and individual drilling-a testament to the incredible patience and devotion of the carver.

What truly elevates this necklace is the strategic drilling. The artist chose to drill some fish from the top and others from the side. Rather than lying flat, the fish "swim" in different directions and depths as the necklace is worn. This creates a sense of kinetic energy and "life" that is rarely seen in traditional stringing.

The necklace is elegantly capped with three inches of natural-shaped, polished turquoise and sterling silver beads, providing a grounded, Southwest finish to the ethereal shell-work.

The set is completed by a pair of matching earrings, each featuring two delicate fish suspended beneath small, vibrant turquoise cabochons. Fitted for pierced ears, they offer a perfect, light-catching complement to the main necklace.

Purchased in the 1970s, this set comes from a golden era of Southwestern jewelry. While the specific artist's name has been lost to time, the quality of the work speaks for itself.

Given the specialized skill required to carve such a high volume of consistent, minute fetishes, we attribute this work to Zuni Pueblo, the historic center of the fetish-carving world.

To find a "solid" fetish necklace — one without the traditional heishi spacers — is increasingly rare. It represents a staggering amount of labor; carving a hundred individual pieces from brittle seashell is a high-stakes art form where one wrong move can shatter hours of work.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Fetish Necklace and Earrings with Fish Fetishes are from the estate of a client from Vermont

Recommended Reading: ZUNI FETISH CARVERS OF THE 1970S: A Bridge from Past to Present, by Kent and Laurie McManis, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Santa Fe.

TAGS: Zuni Pueblo, Southwest Indian Jewelry