{"title":"Ray Tsalate","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTwenty-six year old Raymond began as an apprentice for Troy Sice, well-known fetish carver and sculptor, in 2004. With the encouragement of his mentor, Ray took a hands-on approach, learning step-by-step how to carve large and small pieces from elk antler and various stones.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOver his still-young career, Raymond has challenged himself with increasingly difficult projects as he creates his own style and keeps each individual art piece unique. Many of his art pieces are depictions of regal maidens dressed in their very best waiting to dance. He also carves figures such as dragonfly maidens and butterfly maidens, which are usually portrayed only in murals, paintings, or Hopi katsina carvings. Inspired by his love of nature, he carves colorful creatures such as chubby frogs eating dragonflies or dragonflies hovering over giant flowers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost of Ray's work is formed separately from the beginning and assembled together at the end of the process. Each of his pieces has its own distinct flair, inspired by the natural work around him and by the stories he knows.","products":[{"product_id":"antler-mother-pendant-necklace-with-faceted-lapis-lazuli-beads","title":"Antler \"Mother\" Pendant Necklace With Faceted Lapis Lazuli Beads","description":"Ray Tsalate's nurturing \"Mother\" figurine has been honorably carved from antler in her natural and perhaps expecting state. Traditional whorls of hair and bangs have been intricately incised and she exudes maternal wisdom as the life-giver. A myriad of faceted and sparkling lapis lazuli beads are strung along with two golden beads. Beautifully worked sterling silver findings and a toggle closure are fine details of this approximately 24\" long museum-quality and important necklace. The Zuni mother pendant portion measures approximately 2 1\/2\" long and 3\/4\" wide.","brand":"Ray Tsalate","offers":[{"title":"Mother \/ Antler","offer_id":39943829258325,"sku":"","price":1800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0888\/5204\/products\/RayTsalattie-antler-faceted-lapis-Mother-necklacev4.jpg?v=1663951677"},{"product_id":"sweet-maiden-with-baby-doll","title":"Sweet Maiden With Little Doll","description":"\u003cp\u003eZuni artist Ray Tsalate's unmatched and flawless creative mastery takes the carving art form to new levels. He took humble antler and turned it into a young Maiden who sweetly brings along a cherished little baby doll to the dances. The mother-of-pearl toy is detailed with pen shell eyes, a coral mouth and a tiny necklace from turquoise inlays. The young Maiden has pen shell eyes and a voice represented by an angel skin coral cabochon. Whorled hair is accented with a miniature feather intricately sculpted from iridescent gold lip shell. Traditional clothing and necklace is finely detailed with colorful red coral, verdant malachite, pen shell, crushed pipestone paste, turquoise and vibrant lapis lazuli inlays. A museum-quality expressive work of art that measures about 2 1\/2\" tall, 1\" wide and 1\" deep.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ray Tsalate","offers":[{"title":"Zuni Maiden \/ Antler","offer_id":42734542454869,"sku":null,"price":1600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0888\/5204\/files\/RTsalate-antler-maiden13.jpg?v=1784147099"},{"product_id":"bucktoothed-baby-beaver","title":"Bucktoothed Baby Beaver","description":"A chubby baby \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/beaver\" data-fancybox-type=\"iframe\" class=\"fancybox\"\u003eBeaver's\u003c\/a\u003e potatoe-like body and precious incisors just melt the heart. Lovingly carved from antler by Ray Tsalate, this pen shell-eyed water wonder has tiny ears from softly-sueded leather, a gorgeous angel skin coral nose and iridescent mother-of-pearl oversized chompers. A cross-hatched and burnished tail is ready for water slapping. A little log roller to keep you company that measures approximately 1 3\/4\" long, 3\/4\" wide and 1 1\/8\" tall.","brand":"Ray Tsalate","offers":[{"title":"Beaver \/ Antler","offer_id":42743007543381,"sku":null,"price":490.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0888\/5204\/files\/RTsalate-antler-beaver2-v4.jpg?v=1784304689"}],"url":"https:\/\/keshi.com\/collections\/ray-tsalate\/animal-beaver.oembed","provider":"Keshi The Zuni Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}