The Fetish Carvers of Zuni (Paperback)

~ Marian E. Rodee (Author), James Ostler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Zuni pueblo in western New Mexico is renowned for its small carved stone animal figurines, or fetishes. A fetish is an object, natural or manmade, in which a spirit is thought to reside and which can be used to effect either good or evil. According to legend, when a man finds a rock that resembles an animal, he has in his possession one of the original animals turned to stone by the children of the Sun Father. Such a fetish has the soul or breath of the animal inside.

In recent years the market demand for fetishes from Zuni has spurred an increase in the number of carvers. Published in 1995 and now available from UNM Press, The Fetish Carvers of Zuni studies both the history of fetishes and Zuni's major contemporary fetish carvers, their art, aesthetics, and business.

From the Publisher

Published by the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology.

Distributed by University of New Mexico Press

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology; Revised edition (December 31, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912535105
• ISBN-13: 978-0912535104
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #673,600 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have resource for the fetish collector., June 29, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Fetish Carvers of Zuni (Paperback)

When collecting Native American fetish carvings, one important factor in determining a piece's value is the availability of the artist's name. This book provides the only source I've ever seen into the lives and work of modern Zuni carvers. It includes several family trees which show how the particular styles of carving were passed down through families. I have found this book to be a great resource and a fascinating view of these peoples lives

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fetish Cavers of Zuni - worth the effort, December 27, 2001

By	Elizabeth A Triano "lizziewriter" (In Transition, NY (watch this space)) - See all my reviews

This book is worth the effort it usually takes to track down. It is well written, easy to read (lots of white space and illustrations). Now we just need for them to write another volume, it's been a while since this was written, and the Zuni fetish world is always evolving.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With personal testimonies of modern Zuni fetish carvers, September 8, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Now in a newly revised and updated edition, The Fetish Carvers Of Zuni is collaboratively written by Marian Rodee (Curator of Southwestern Ethnology, Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico) and James Ostler (Pueblo of Zuni Arts and Crafts) and offers a thoughtful, fascinating, and informative look at the Zuni Native American tradition and art form of carving fetishes. 103 halftones and 94 color photographs profusely illustrate the history of fetish carving, works of art, and its practice today. Personal testimonies of modern Zuni fetish carvers as well as scholarly appraisals of this art form round out this book about a unique and fascinating Native American art form. The Fetish Carvers Of Zuni is a welcome and much appreciated contribution to Native American Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.