Lot 234
**Originally Listed At $600**
Native American, Southwest, Zuni, ca. 20th century CE. A fun fetish depicting Avanyu (also Awanyu) or Kolowisi in the Zuni language, a Tewa deity represented as a plumed serpent who guards waterways and serves as a harbinger of storms and a protector of the Pueblo people. Ornately crafted, here Avanyu has a curving body formed from deer antler adorned with shells, stone, animal sinew, and incised designs. Size: 1.3" W x 7.4" H (3.3 cm x 18.8 cm)
Kolowisi is regarded as a hero in Zuni because he saved the Zuni people from the flood. When the waters rushed into Zuni Pueblo, the people fled to the top of their sacred mountain, Dowa Yallane (Corn Mountain), to get above the flood. They were dying of thirst and starvation and so said prayers to each of the six directions, asking for rescue. Kolowisi heard their prayers and came from the West direction and rested his jaw on top of Dowa Yallane and regurgitated fresh water, meat and seeds and so saved the Zuni people. When the waters receded Kolowisi did not want to go back to the West and so he now resides in the underground lake in the South where the katsinas live.
Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.
Provenance: private Alamo, California, USA collection, before 2000; ex-J. Wilson collection, Nevada City, California, USA
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#180558
- Condition: Missing tongue and horn between eyes. Losses to animal sinew that holds stone on back in place. Some minor chipping to peripheries of shell collar, as well as some nicks and scratches to surface. Otherwise, very nice presentation.
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