Bear Spotlight

As cold weather sets in, bears retreat into dens for winter hibernation. Surviving months without food or water, their heart rates drop to single digits and metabolism slows dramatically, yet they emerge in spring with their muscle and strength intact.

For the Zuni people, the bear is the principal animal and the most frequently carved by artists as an ally for many situations. Bear carvings cultivate inner strength, support healing, and provide protection and nurturing. Bear medicine blesses safe journeys, both across the world and on personal inner paths.

Scroll below to explore works inspired by the strength, protection, and spirit of the bear.

The offerings shared below are just a small selection of what is available in our physical gallery shop. Contact Us.

Like Three Bears In One

Cheryl Beyuka

$575.00

Double-Strand Medicine Bear & Animal Friends Pendant Necklace

Double-Strand Medicine Bear & Animal Friends Pendant Necklace

Stewart Quandelacy

$1,900.00

Stewart Quandelacy's reversible and colorful pendant necklace is one to hand down through the generations, that's how good it is. Taking center stage is a powerful Medicine-Bear pendant, itself measuring about 1 3/8" long including the carved "naja" or crescent shape, 1 1/2" wide and 1/8" deep. The rounded back Medicine Bear design originated with Stewart and his late sister Georgia Quandelacy. The Quandelacy family is known for the original naja design where it's carved right into the stone or shell's center instead of attaching a metal bale. It was started by the late Johnny Quam and continued by his daughter Ellen Quandelacy. Turquoise eyes and an alternating heartline or breath path are inlaid to this bright orange spiny oyster shell Bear.

A generous double strand of lively turquoise, lapis lazuli, spiny oyster shell, malachite, tiger's eye, shell, coral and black tourmaline beads are joined by exquisitely sculpted animals such as bear, bushytails (Coyote, Fox or Wolf), feathered friends like Hummingbirds, Eagles and parrots, Bison, Horse, Mole, goat and a porcupine. Spirited personalities are brought out from spiny oyster shell, lapis lazuli, Picasso marble, turquoise and tiger iron. Expressive eyes are from either jet paste or turquoise inlays.

A museum-quality one-of-a-kind carved necklace that is conveniently adjustable from about 23 1/2" to 29 1/2" long. The wonderful animal's average from about 1/4" to 3/4" long and 3/4" to 1 1/2" wide.

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Double-Strand Medicine Bear & Animal Friends Pendant Necklace

Stewart Quandelacy

$1,900.00

Zuni Stone & Zuni Azurite Medicine Bear

Afghan Travertine Standing Bear

Loren Tsalabutie

$950.00

Powerful Eagle Pyrogravure Wall Hanging

Cameron Kalestewa

$320.00

Powerful Eagle (or little brother Hawk) keeps watch over Zuni Pueblo as depicted in multi-media artist Cameron Kalestewa's pine woodwork and bright acrylic wall hanging that's intricately burnt in the pyrogravure art technique. Pyrography is the art of producing a design on wood by applying heat and pressure. A medium gaining new popularity among artists in recent years, pyrogravure literally means “writing with fire” with origins that go back to the earliest days of humankind used by ancient craftsman from Peru, Egypt and China. Cameron is one of the best pyrographers in Zuni. Other harmonious details include mighty Bear, quick roadrunner, a Zuni Sunface abstraction, tracks and feathered arrow elements. Measurements are about 9 3/4" long including the lovely beaded loop with turquoise, 8 1/2" wide and 1/2" deep. Signed by the artist.

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Powerful Eagle Pyrogravure Wall Hanging

Cameron Kalestewa

$320.00

Pipestone Bears Pendant Necklace & Earrings Set

Pipestone Bears Pendant Necklace & Earrings Set

Herbert Halate

Animal: Bear, Material: Pipestone

$850.00

Herbert Halate's father was the late Leonard Halate who was often referred to as Old Man Halate. He was born in 1914, carving in stone since he was a little boy. While herding sheep, he would find white minerals and make bears, Wolves, Coyotes and water creatures. He learned from his uncle Ha-ta-pupu who taught him the basic skills. Leonard Halate also shared his knowledge of fetish carving with his children.

Herbert's decadent pipestone Bear pendant necklace and earrings set is created in his signature smooth style. Intelligent eyes are from turquoise inlays. Strung with lovely turquoise beads, the pendant necklace is about 24" long, while the center bear is roughly 1 1/2" long and 1 3/4" wide. The companions bear's average 1 1/2" long. The matching dangle earrings that are medium-weight are roughly 2" long including hooks and 1 1/4" wide. Prepare yourself for the compliments you'll receive wearing this fabulous set.

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Pipestone Bears Pendant Necklace & Earrings Set

Herbert Halate

$850.00

Stunning Ten Strand Turquoise Animal Necklace

Stunning Ten Strand Turquoise Animal Necklace

Lavina Tsikewa Kaskalla

$11,000.00

We're honored to offer an older, extraordinary ten strand fetish necklace by Lavina Tsikewa Kaskalla, a member of the renowned Tsikewa family whose lineage is from the late great artist Teddy Weahkee of Zuni Pueblo. His daughter was Mary Tsikewa who was married to David Tsikewa, famous for his carved animal necklaces. Their family includes Rudy Tsikewa among others.

This rare, museum-quality necklace displays over 200 masterfully sculpted animals from sky blue turquoise. An abundance of birds, Bears and perhaps bushytails like Wolves and Foxes are seen. The previous owner found damage to nine of the animals. The close up image shows three of them. A little damage in older fetish necklaces is not unusual but is a testament to its age and journey in life. Expressive eyes are drilled and filled with jet paste. The lovely animal's average from about 5/8" to 7/8" long. The stunning necklace with exquisite tiny turquoise beads is about 31" long weighing approximately 120 grams. The necklace is approximately 4" deep at center. Vintage fetish necklaces by important Zuni artists generally go for around $1,000 per strand. Don't miss a fabulous opportunity to own a national treasure, it's truly breathtaking.

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Stunning Ten Strand Turquoise Animal Necklace

Lavina Tsikewa Kaskalla

$11,000.00