Zuni Badger Fetish Box

Description

Item: B011

This one of a kind silver and stone medicine box has been constructed of Coquina Jasper and 26 gauge Sterling silver. The lid is crowned by a genuine Zuni badger fetish hand carved by Enrike Leekya (see below).

Coquina is a beautiful semiprecious gemstone material from India. It is also known as Elephant jasper, Elephant skin jasper, Cobra stone, Calligraphy stone, or script stone. Coquina is the Spanish word for cockleshells or shellfish. Coquina jasper is a consolidated sedimentary rock mainly composed of the mineral calcite, but includes bits of seashells or coral. Coquina jasper forms near the shore where wave action is vigorous, and tiny shells and coral pieces land. It has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale and is usually a mixture of brown, orange, and red, with yellowish streaks. Once cut and polished, Coquina reveals a color pattern that is amazing to behold.

The metaphysical qualities of the stone jasper remind us of our call to the service of others. Jasper absorbs negative energy and acts as a stone of protection. It helps one remain grounded and centered, stabilizes the aura, and sustains us through times of stress. Jasper helps bring tranquility and wholeness. The Sterling silver fusing the box strengthens the connection between the astral and physical planes, while enhancing the energies of the stone it surrounds.

Place your herbs, keepsakes, or medicine in the Native American Medicine Box to infuse them with these powerful, timeless energies. Experience the power of Native American Medicine and own an amazingly unique fusion of art and ancient power.
The medicine box has been topped by a genuine Zuni badger fetish, carved from travertine; also called Zuni stone or Leekya rock. Zuni Stone is a type of travertine found only on Leekya family land and mined almost exclusively for fetish carving by the Leekya family. Its colors tend to be predominantly in the golden light-brown spectrum, but also may exhibit tones of gray, light beige, cream, and darker brown.

To the Zuni, the badger is one of the directional animals, representing the South, as well as the color red. The badger controls the functioning of agriculture. Though small in size, it is powerful and strong-willed, enabling it to be victorious over animals sizably larger. When cornered it shows boldness, fearlessness, and determination. Badgers symbolize affection and constancy, never quitting until the goal objective has been achieved. They live near the soil and have extreme awareness of earth. This fetish has an inlaid turquoise arrow in its body, called the heartline. To the Zuni, the heartline represents the breath as the life force of the animal. It is depicted as an inlaid line in the shape of an arrow that begins at the mouth where breath gives life and points to the soul, or spirit, where faith and inner strength preside.

Enrike Leekya is a great grandson of Leekya Deyuse, who passed away in 1966. Leekya Deyuse was one of the most famous Zuni carvers, considered the Rembrandt of the Zuni fetish world. Leekya’s early work was targeted at the trainloads of tourists who passed through Gallup, New Mexico each year. Travelers collected Leekya’s happy animal carvings, which became more popular as the years progressed. The whimsical, peaceful countenances on his animals provided travelers with a charming reminder of Native American harmony in their homeland. Enrike carries on the work of his famous great-grandfather and adds his own unique style.

Box measures: 4 1/2″ X 3 1/2″ X 3″, without the fetish.