The first fetishes that the Zuni created were 'private fetishes' of totemic animals that had special meaning to the owner. Many Navajos and other Native Americans came to Zuni to trade for these fetishes which were considered to have unique powers and were incorporated into medicine bags or ceremonial offerings.

The necklace is 30" long with 48 bird fetishes (1" to 1-1/2" long) carved from Olivia shell using the orange lip of the shell as the head and beak with a carved and painted black eye. Strung on 1.5mm Pueblo Santo Domingo shell heishi beads, there are 27 nuggets of excellent Turquoise (probably Kingman) ranging in size from 10mm to 16mm in size and 30 Coral beads.

Price: $600.