Tribe/ Region: Southwest

Circa: Pre-Early Contact

Materials: Dense hard stone

Dimensions: H. 12 3/4″ x W 8 1/4″ x W. 6″ / Weight 27 lbs.

Condition: Excellent. No restoration.

Comments: A natural geologic formation resembling a concretion with minimal groove enhancements. The figure appears to be of a pregnant woman with distended abdomen and is understood to represent a fertility fetish. The figure’s large size and weight suggest a figure of considerable importance associated with fertility rights.

“Concretion fetishes are usually strangely shaped rocks which, having the appearance of human organs, are considered to be petrified organs of gods and potent to assist mankind.” Ruth F. Kirk after the writings of Frank H. Cushing.  “One object, a mere concretion will have something about it suggesting an organ of the human body. It will then be regarded as the genital organ of some ancient being and will be highly prized… as a means approaching the spirit of the god to whom it is supposed to have once belonged…”

Collection History:

Acquired in New Mexico from a collector.

References:

– Ruth F. Kirk, Introduction to Zuni Fetishism, Santa Fe, Archeological Institute of America, 1943, p.3 and p.19.