Featured Buttons and a fetish...

No, not a button fetish (though I suspect some here have that as well)!! An old sewing box full of buttons, with a few beads, hatpins, and what I assume is a fetish thrown in.

Is this indeed a fetish? Or is that not the right name, and if so what is it? Made of a carved black polished stone, about two inches long, with inset sterling silver arrow mouth and eye (other eye missing - may be in the button drawer?) I believe it is hand carved since not symmetrical and stone not plastic. No sign it was ever attached to a piece of jewelry, and I am assuming it is native american, but maybe not?

I assume the initials on one of the feet are original and not an owner. Looks like DTR (or maybe in the order DRT). What do I have? And if anyone knows buttons, is there anything else worth taking pictures of?

 

Maybe jet. A mountain lion with a silver heart line. Personally I try to reserve 'fetish' for items that are actually being used in that capacity & just use 'carvings' for pieces that are made for collectors & tourists, but 'fetish' is the commonly used shorthand & the right search term.

 

the right side of the box has old tools.......
and the beads there require a close look...imo

 

Gee, I hope not, that would be disappointing. They seem to have a different insignia, so hopefully not (see below). I did search through medicine man gallery sigs and didn't see it there.

I don't know and hate to ask what that is, but at least it would be better than posting on Fetish People (I hope). They don't seem that active, but worth posting?

A search for "jet fetish" brought up a fair number of Zuni pieces, so would that be the most likely source? (It also brought up pics of "Lady Vanessa", but I wouldn't recommend clicking on that one...)

 

Suggest you restrict your search to 'jet mountain lion fetish'. No telling what will be presented for your consideration if you're too general.

I think it is probably Zuni, but of course you can't make that claim without identifying the maker. Much to the Zunis' chagrin, the Navajo make ones that are similar. I have not seen this signature before, it has been a while since I was buying fetishes & new carvers come up. The silver disk on the paw is distinctive by itself, even without the initials.

 

There's a maker's mark similar to yours if you scroll down to RTR, identified as Raymond Bitosi, Navajo. Raymond seems to be flying under the Internet radar.

http://www.art-amerindien.com/hallmarks/r-american-indian-jewelry-marks.htm

 

I’m pretty sure that is just the back of a fabric button, but I’ll check when I’m home. (I’m visiting my 93 year old dad at the moment. Downtime right now as he takes a nap after lunch).

Sure, thank you for the offer, that would be great!

 

Could your fetish be a skunk? The posture and tail over the back reminds me of a skunk. (I love skunks )

 

Skunks are beautiful. The tail over the back usually means mountain lion though. But I don't know if that was the intention of the maker.

 

I don't suppose they turned up any names or other info, did they?