A fierce Zuni Warrior armed to defend ward off negative energy. Crowned with a colorful feather plume and dressed in battle regalia. This personal guardian carries a fiery blade and an impenetrable shield emblazoned with the ever-protective face of the Sun. Feathers adorn the shield in colors sacred to the A:shiwi (Zuni) People.
Sacred Colors:
•Yellow- represents the cardinal direction North and the guardian animal Mountain Lion.
•White- represents the cardinal direction East and the guardian animal Wolf.
•Red- represents the cardinal direction South and the guardian animal Badger.
•Blue- represents the cardinal direction West and the guardian animal Bear.
•Multi-Color/Prism- represents the Cosmos and the guardian animal Eagle.
•Black- represents Mother Earth and the guardian animal Shrew.
In Zuni tradition, each color and the animal representation along with their spiritual abilities, combined together serve as personal protection, warding off unwanted energies.
Pendant:
Hand carved Elk Antler Warrior with repurposed domestic parrot feather plume pinned with Sterling Silver. Eyes and mouth inlaid with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, facial markings inlaid with Black Jet pigment. Necklaces are inlaid with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise drops. Gleaming sword is Abalone shell with buckskin leather handle. Shield is Deer Antler crown and inlaid with Gold Mother Of Pearl, red Mediterranean coral, blue Lapis, Sleeping Beauty turquoise. Hand carved feathers- Gold Mother of Pearl, Mother of Pearl, Black Mother of Pearl, blue Lapis, red Mediterranean Coral and pinned with Sterling Silver. Sash is inlaid with Red Pipestone pigment. Kilt inlaid with blue Lapis stones and details of inlaid Black Jet pigment. Soles on moccasins are burnished for contrast.
Necklace:
Double strand necklace is composed blue Lapis beads and rare blue Peruvian Opal. Both strands are strung through 6 hand carved 2-hole bar beads: red Spiny Oyster, blue Lapis, Mother of Pearl, Gold Mother of Pearl, black Belgium Marble, Abalone. The necklace is finished with Sterling Silver toggle and clasp.
Artist: Ray Tsalate
Signed: Tsalate
About:About 4 1/2"tall by 3 1/4"wide by 1"long (Center Piece with feathers)
Item# 1121