F567 White Marble Mole
White marble mole by Zuni fetish carver Alex Tsethlikai. The 2 ½” x 5/8” x 7/8” mole with turquoise eyes has a medicine bundle on its back.
Medicine Bundles are meant as a gift offering to the animal spirit. The bundles provide the animal spirit with energy, enhancing its powers and allowing its prayers to be heard more easily. They are carried on either the back or side of the fetish.
The mole is associated with the South. The mole dominates the activities of husbandry and agriculture, relatively small but fierce and tenacious and has been known prevail over animals far larger, as such they can be counted on in tight situations to display boldness and perseverance. The mole represents a protector of growing crops and the underworld.
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About the artist
Alex Tsethlikai
The Tsethlikai family is related to the Quandelacy family. They produce a similar style of fetish that is somewhat realistic but not heavily detailed. Alex is the brother of fetish carver Terrence Tsethlikai who learned fetish carving from his in-laws, Ronnie Lunasee and Vernon Lunasee. The badger seems to be one of Alex’s favorite subjects.
