Vintage Zuni Bear Fetish Carving Serpentine Stone-Turquoise & Shell Heartline

Vintage Native American bear fetish carving made in the traditional Zuni style. The piece is hand-carved from dense natural serpentine stone and features turquoise inlaid eyes along with a turquoise and shell heartline inlay across the back.
One of the most unique aspects of this carving is the stone itself. The surface displays naturally occurring crystalline “fan” or thumbprint-like patterns formed deep within the Earth over geological time. These marks are not damage or tool marks- they are the result of radiating mineral growth within the stone, revealed through careful hand carving and polishing. Each pattern is completely natural and makes this piece truly one of a kind.
The serpentine has a rich olive-brown tone with subtle variation, indicating higher mineral content and a denser stone than modern, brightly colored tourist pieces. The turquoise appears genuine, showing natural color variation, and the shell inlay is cleanly set and flush with the stone.