Traditionally the carving of small animals in the southwest was exclusively done by the Zuni. The animals were used for ceremonial purposes and became known as fetishes. With the rise of the commodification of native culture in the later 20th Century they became valued as artworks as well as religious items. Coincident with this rise, other people started copying them in an effort to capitalize upon their success.
Hence, these aren’t actually Zuni and fall into the category of relatively contemporary copies. The two in the front row are tourist grade stuff of indeterminate origin.
The two in the back are more interesting. On the left is a bear that carries a fancy offering bundle and is signed SA and bears what appear to be the numbers 70. I presume this is a year mark although it could be that I’m reading the letters OL upside-down. It is in excellent shape and is about 3 inches long.
The other consists of two bears and is signed AL. It is in good condition except one of the projectile points is broken. Luckily the bears are OK. These stand about 3 1/2 inches tall.
Both of these were carved by members of the Navajo Nation, an attribution that was made by the folks at the Heard Museum based on the style of the carving and / or other factors. Which is part of why I say these are interesting. For folks a the museum these are later copies of the ‘real thing’ and not worthy of further consideration. Some other folks see Navajo carved fetishes as an important part of what kept the carving tradition alive and helped bring about its revival among the Zuni.
That’s one of those questions that can (and probably will) be debated in academic and collector circles for the indefinite future and ultimately it is yours to decide if these are nice, fake, or nice fakes.
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