Identifying ivory carved fetishes with 3 figures

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi Orchid lovers

I hope that some of you have a few minutes to consider the origin of
this necklace.

Some of the most 3D carving on fetishes I have ever seen.

Please view the attached find photos of new acquisition, Necklace. I
see in it: Eskimo fur hoods. The carved robes look like some
traditional dress… for warmth.

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The fetishes are carved by a Master… deduced by quality of
workmanship; who was Teaching a less knowledgeable student. There are
in these photos especially the very detailed carvings of animals…
and all sorts of animals! There is a Bear with a Heart LINE.

The question: are these Eskimo or Hopi Indian?

Thanks So Very MUCH for your help.
M. E. Willig-Wang

2

Hi, Well, I have seen many a fetish necklace & was left one by my
mother-in-law, Flora Donivan…I’d say Hopi.

Jo-Ann D. from sunny SF

3

Search Google - images is a quick way - for “tawa kachina dolls”.

4

Eskimo carvers are vastly superior to this carver. I question the use
of something that looks like turquoise when jade is more likely in
Alaska. Compare this to the work of Earl Mayac, the Mayac family, all
carvers. Maybe not a fair comparision because the Mayac carvings are
usually of animals and birds. Look for transformation figures. If
your piece is ivory you are advised to know who made it, when and
where as ivory is illegal material…and have a bill of sale.

mariana foliart

5

The world’s expert in ivory can help you. Contact Mr Bobby Mann
President of the Washington DC GIA alumni society You can also
contact me off line

Lee Horowitz,
ttp://www.perublueopal.com

6

Thanks for answering my question… I’m going to collect statistics.
So far, 1 HOPI & 1 Alaskan Thank YOU for your time, Elaine

7

The thing that is difficult about identifying carved ivory is that
ivory carving is being done in Bali and the Philippines.

Carving in fossil ivory, Eskimo style from Bali. Native American
jewelry is produced in the Philippines. I would be more inclined to
guess that the work shown was done in the Philippines, but it is just
a guess. There is a person that was raised in trading posts in the
southwest who started producing “Indian” jewelry in the Philippines
quite a while ago.

I have seen Native American style stone fetishes carved in the
Philippines. I got my G.G. from G.I.A. in 1977 in Residence and the
older I get the less I know…

Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.

8

The fetishes in this necklace are ZUNI.

9

Hi,

After 40 years being in and around the SW jewelry and other native
American art world (mostly sales) That necklace is definately not
Hopi nor Alaskan. It is Zuni.

Aggie

10

Dear Ariba, I do not think they are Eskimo, I live up here in Alaska
and love carvings, never seen anyone do a rendition of the sun face.
I agree, it looks like a Southwestern carving. blessings pat

11

The best person in the world for the identification of ivory and he
has classes in and around Washington DC on ivory

is Mr Bobby Mann, President of the GIA Alumni Assocation of
Washington DC He may be contacted there for any on ivory
ot simulants.

Lee Horowitz