Cassoday Antiques

A little about the Fetish Necklace

Fetishes were originally carved by Native American tribes to ceremonially capture the spirit of the animal they represent. They were tied with offerings of shells, stones, or feathers, and were "fed" with corn pollen or other foods as an offering to the spirit of the fetish. The Zuni as well as other Pueblo tribes kept their fetishes in jars inside of their kivas, and only brought them out only for specific ceremonies. Some fetishes are not carved for ceremonies, but for art; however, certain restrictions and taboos may be observed when created.

The fetishes depict animals such as the wolf, badger, bear, mountain lion, eagle, mole, frog, deer, ram, and others. These necklaces were made by the Navjaho Indians from their reservation in Arizona.

Item # 69 sells for $55.00

Three stranded Fetish necklace with ivory birds in lavendar and white Heisey beads as spacers. 29" long and the only one in stock.

Item # 88...............$95.00

Ivory birds of all colors, red, blue, orange, whites, black, turquoise with brown tones of Heisey beads as spacers. Only one in stock.

Item # 90A.............$55.00

Great looking Three strand Fetish necklace of turqoise, Heisey bead spacers and ivory birds, with sterling ends and a crab claw fastener. Only one in stock like this one. Isn't if beautiful.

Item #67..................$75.00

This Fetish Necklace is full of ivory birds from cream to brown with Heisey beads as spacers. Has sterling silver ends with a Hook type of fastener.

Item #68..................$75.00       Only one in stock