Zuni fetish carvings

Quandelacy fetish carvings

picasso marble horse, ellen quandelacy, 1 7/8 x 1

One of the more notable families of Zuni fetish carvers and jewelers is the Quandelacy family. Now deceased matriarch Ellen Quandelacy learned the art of carving from her father, Johnny Quam, and her style is still very much in evidence in the carvings and fetish necklaces of daughter Albenita Yunie, and Albenita's sons Brian and Jeffrey Yunie.

As Kent McManis stated in his book A Guide to Zuni Fetishes and Carvings, "Stewart Quandelacy's bears have almost become the quintessential Zuni fetish". Zuni artist Stewart Quandelacy has stated that he prefers the terms "Zuni carving" rather than "Zuni fetish." Stewart is well known for his Medicine Bear carvings, but his bent for aesthetic license lies in what he calls the "turnaround bear", his own original stylistic development which transcends traditional folk art, and raises the craft of Zuni fetish carving to a true art form. Whether realistic, or semi-abstract, the soft, free-flowing lines he obtains with the minimal amount of change to the object stone is one of the most notable attributes of his carvings.

Those same soft lines are also evident in the carvings of Faye and Sandra Quandelacy, well known for their corn maiden carvings and pendant necklaces, and sister Georgianna Quandelacy, well known for her fetish necklaces, bears with fish, and medicine bears with sunfaces.

Andres Quandelacy, Bisbee Azurite Buffalo Andres Quandelacy, Blue Peruvian Opal Bear with Fish Andres Quandelacy is well known for his small, intricate carvings of mountain lions, buffaloes, and standing bears. Andres' style is unique and readily recognizable. Better known for mountain lion carvings with the tail draped over the back, Andres has added the loop tail and the long tail in the last few years. As have the other members of the Quandelacy family, Andres has achieved international acclaim for his carvings, pendants, and fetish necklaces fashioned in the Quandelacy tradition.

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1-812-223-2599
or 1-765-447-2529 (fax/ phone)
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