Happy Otter

Justin Red Elk carved this Happy Otter from Zuni fish rock (serpentine).  It is very happy because it has a pink mussel shell fish in its mouth.  Its a bit difficult to see in the photos, but if you look carefully you can see the whiskers and paws are detailed.

Size: 1.375" H x 2" L x .5" W

Otters are water creatures that live in oceans, rivers, creeks and lakes.  The mothers float around with their babies on their bellies when they are young.  They put their food on their bellies making their bellies dining tables.  They are associated with happiness, joy, and community. 

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.