Fossil Ivory Fetish Necklace

Product Details:

Handmade by Dinah Gasper

This 2 Strand Zuni Fetish Necklace measures at 29 and 30 inches in length. Containing 63 beautiful hand-carved Fossilized Ivory fetishes, featuring frogs, tadpoles, birds, fish, turtles, wolves and bears. It’s strung with handmade olive shells in between the fossilized ivory and finished with sterling silver clasp and silver hallmark tag signed in full by Zuni artist Dinah Gasper.

Dinah Gasper is the daughter of Edna Leki, sister of Lena Boone and granddaughter of Teddy Weahkee. She comes from a strong family line of carvers all recognized for their award winning work. Dinah learned to carve fetishes while helping her mother and famous grandfather as a teenager. Later on married to Pete Gasper, specialized in painting and began carving along-side Dinah until he passed in 2011. They are both featured in many books and museums for their beautiful, award winning craftsmanship.

The Zuni tribe is located in a small pueblo South of Gallup, New Mexico. The are very detailed and spiritual people, wearing bright colors and tell stories through their art work. They are known for making fetishes, pottery, and jewelry such as the artistry of needlepoint and some inlay.