Z Bear on Fours
Zuni Fetish Carving
Andres Quandelacy
Rainbow Calsilica
with Turquoise Accents

Andres Quandelacy, Zuni 

 Andres Quandelacy is probably the most prolific of the the extended Quandelacy fetish carving family. He is particularly noted for profiled mountain lions with the tail curled on the back, wolves, and bears all with heart lines.  He has a wide range of work, some of which is instantly recognizable to those familiar with it.

Andres is a sibling of noted carvers Stewart, Faye, and Sandra Quandelacy among many others.  According to Kent McManis' book; Zuni Fetishes and Carvings, all members of Andres generation (11 all tolled) are carvers. There are three generations of Quandelacy carvers, starting with Andres mother (Ellen, who died in 2002).

This piece is made from a material known as rainbow calsilica.  The stories surrounding the origin of this wildly vary.  Since it popped on the scene somewhere around ten years ago there were (still are) people perpetuating the story that it is a new found natural stone being mined in Mexico.  Yeah...not so much. It's not really a credible story no matter how many staged photos you see of "mines".

The most plausible explanation is that it started out as a waste product from a tile plant that is created from layers of slurry dumped into a holding pond that congeals and hardens into the base material from which items like this are made.  At this point, I don't know if it all comes from one source or if it is being "farmed".

If somebody tries to tell you it is a rare new gem, run in the other direction.  That said, while it is not a gemstone it is a fascinating and appealing substance for jewelry and fetishes. I love to find really good examples of it.  This is a particularly eye catching piece from any viewing angle.

 Remember to check the dimensions - the photos are extreme close-ups.

Unsigned - this is normal for Andres.

Length: 2-1/4"

Width: 21/64"

Height: 1-1/2"

Weight: .9oz/26g/.057lbs

P101416