Spirit in the Stone: A Handbook of Southwest Indian Animal Carvings and Beliefs [Paperback]

MARK BAHTI (Author)

Book Description

Series: Native American Culture (Rio Nuevo) | Publication Date: January 1999

Do you know who is referred to as ""Reared in the Mountains"" lest he think hes being called? Or what the connection is between rabbits and the Underworld? Noted Indian arts-and-crafts expert Mark Bahti has compiled a fascinating reference to answer hundreds of questions such as these about Native American fetishes and carvings. Part I introduces the tribes and their traditional uses of fetishes. Part II contains the stories and legends associated with the animals and other figures represented by fetish forms. Part III covers the materials used. To many of us, it's a collection of ""folk tales"" --where Badger gave corn its many colors and where Black Body used crystals to make the stars, which his helpers clean and replace each day. To America's indigenous people, it is the real world. Anyone who has glimpsed the depth of meaning in the traditions and cosmologies of their cultures will find a wealth of information in this richly illustrated handbook.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you're looking for a handbook with larger-than-life full-color photographs of indigenous artwork, are fascinated by Native American spirituality and artifacts, or are interested in stone and stone sculpture, check out this attractively designed reference. Bahti brings it all together under one cover in a scholarly yet down-to-earth presentation of the Apache, Navajo, Zuni, Rio Grande Pueblos, Hopi, and Tohono O'odham peoples' stone fetish work. For the non-Native reader, the introduction is most helpful in understanding the respectfully appropriate attitude to take toward the religious and artistic practices of Native peoples. The chapter on materials is a valuable resource for the aspiring carver, and the detailed explanations and photos of each type of fetish are invaluable for the beginning collector. --P. Randall Cohan

Review

"This easy-to-use guide contains good information as well as beautiful color photos of contemporary examples of the small carvings. The book is organized in four parts: the role of these carvings to the various Southwestern tribal groups, explanations of the significance of the various animals, a discussion of other carved figures and objects, and materials employed. This is an attractive guide, with nice, silhouetted reproductions that do justice to the beautiful carvings. This is a good reference, certain to find its way to collectors' bookshelves. -- New Mexico Magazine

Product Details

• Paperback: 147 pages
• Publisher: Treasure Chest Books; 1st edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887896090
• ISBN-13: 978-1887896092
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the stone craved animals of Southwest Tribes, March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Spirit in the Stone: A Handbook of Southwest Indian Animal Carvings and Beliefs (Paperback)

A great overview of fetishes, charms, and amulets made by Southwest Indian tribes. I like the mix of stories from Indian's folklore and the power from the fetish would provide to user. Now my collection of fetishes have now taken more meaning and understandings from Indian point of view. Also there is notes about material used in making the fetish. Why the color plays great role in fetish. Great reading and must reading if you collect fetishes from Southwest.

3 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Much of a Mini Art Book as Guidebook, June 10, 2003

By 

Carolyn Howard-Johnson "Author 'This is the P... (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Spirit in the Stone: A Handbook of Southwest Indian Animal Carvings and Beliefs (Paperback)

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, columnist and reviewer for MyShelf and author of This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered

Here they are!
Five guidebooks,all part of a series, that look and feel more like art books.

Five guidebooks so closely related that they become a library or set suitable to give as a gift to anyone who lives in, travels in or just loves the Southwest.

Published by Rio Nuevo Publishers, an imprint of Treasure Chest Books, these slender paperbacks have a different polish than most guidebooks, both outside and in. The covers have a satin-finish feel. The pictures in each are full color and so well done you may feel less tempted to buy a piece of art in any one of these categoriesor more tempted as the case may be. There are diagrams and maps in full color and other information like histories for the artists, the genealogy of related artists, etc. Anything that will help a reader/art lover to understand the subject better. Bibliographies, indexes, suggested readings and pronunciation guides are also included as needed.

Mostly, these are helpful well-written guides by knowledgeable authors like Kent McManis, Mark Bahti, and Robert Jeffries. Youll find them on Amazon and other sites that sell books under their separate titles and here they are:

A Guide to Zuni Fetishes and Carvings, both Volume I and Volume II
A Guide to Hopi Katsina Dolls
A Guide to Navaho Weavings
A Guide to Navaho Sandpaintings


(Carolyn Howard-Johnsons first novel, This is the Place, has won eight awards.
Her newly released Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remember has won three.)