Horse
Zuni Fetish Carving
Bernard Laiwakete
Block Turquoise
Coral Accents

Bernard Laiwakete, Zuni Fetish Artist - Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico 

Bernard is part of the extended Mahooty, Lasiloo, Laiwakete families of carvers. 

 Like most things I am posting right now, this is new old stock.  I purchased it new in 2016 and it has been in storage since. 

 On my buying trip in Aug 2016, this substance was featured in fetishes by a variety of artists at three wholesalers. Although it bears a resemblance to "web" turquoise, it clearly isn't natural and the pieces were far too inexpensive. 

It is some kind manufactured synthetic block "turquoise", with matrix and pyrite inclusions.  I'm bought it because it is a nice piece and I like the "look" of the material, as did the carvers, I suspect.  I had this material in coyote and bear fetishes, both sold.

Signed: BL  There is another mark I can't make out, it might be a Z

Length: 2-5/16"

Width: 7/16"

Height: 1-1/2"

Weight:  1oz/28g/0.062lbs

P102723