Brandon Phillips' mother is Zuni Pueblo artist Marvelita Phillips renowned for her animal fetish necklaces. Brandon's grandfather was noted carver and jeweler Leonard Halate (d) who started carving in the 1940's. Brandon's uncle is beloved carver Herbert Halate. Sculpted from refreshing alabaster, an industrious
Beaver is inlaid with turquoise perhaps to indicate water droplets, or a stylized heartline or breath path. Eyes are from turquoise. Sgraffito etching provides a nice contrast to the orange color of the mineral that's in the gypsum family. About 3 3/8" long, 3/4" wide and 7/8" tall.
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