Unique Zuni Avanyu, Feathered Serpent Fetish

Avanyu were considered water serpents as well as sky serpents. They were ritually propitiated in the arid high mesa pueblo for essential rain and crop fertility.

This hand-carved wooden avanyu is painted black and turquoise to reflect the dual affinity to water and sky. His undulations perhaps reference his ability to shape shift into a lightning bolt to bring forth the rain. Avanyu are also protectors of rivers and streams.

This charming fetish was created in the 1980s,is unsigned and not often seen.

It measures 7 inches long, head is 1 inch wide and body is .50 inch