Intriguing sandstone is an ancient sedimentary rock made up of sand particles created by either wind or water. It is sometimes referred to as the stone of creativity. Darrell Westika's mighty Bear is sculpted from sandstone and has a friendly fixed expression from sky blue turquoise eyes. A really cool point from carved from marble is layered with a happy turquoise cabochon in the offering bundle that compliments the natural features of the stone. About 5 1/2" long, 1 1/4" wide and 2 1/2" tall.

View item

Part of Mountain Lion's animal medicine includes leading by example. A mother mountain lion shows her young how to survive and thrive. Perhaps this teaches us to embody the values and behaviors we wish to see in others. Chad Quandelacy's feline with turquoise eyes is carved from turquoise and inlaid with a wonderful mosaic tail from turquoise, jet, spiny oyster shell, sugilite and lapis lazuli. Permanently presented on a base from pipestone, dimensions in their entirety are about 1 3/4" long, 7/8" wide and 1" tall.

View item

A spirited Badger by Daphne and Leland Boone is carved from an amazing piece of bowlerite which is an upcycled material from bowling balls. You never know what color and pattern combination you'll get. An etched tail, an iridescent mother-of-pearl point with turquoise beads in the offering bundle and determined eyes from turquoise inlays are fine additions to this approximately 2 1/2" long, 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/8" tall beneath the ground creature. Badgers are regarded as healing animals to the A:Shiwi (The People) because they have a knowledge of the medicinal plants and roots they live among.

View item

Medicine-bears remind us to rest, strengthen and restore ourselves like they do in nature, going to their dens or caves in torpor. Nelson Yatsattie's arched-back turquoise Bear pendant is a sweet gesture of this valuable animal medicine. The roundness of its back resembles the entrance to the den or cave. Gorgeous sterling silver work surrounds this powerful friend with an eye from a jet inlay. Measurements are about 2 1/4" long including the reticulated silver bale, 2 1/8 wide and 1/4" deep. Signed by the artist. View item

We are happy to welcome Quinton and Margie Quam to Keshi's website. Their beautifully handmade Rainbow Man pin/pendant is an eye-catching gem. Collaboratively created in the channel inlay jewelry technique, colorful specimens of pink mussel shell, gold lip shell, mother-of-pearl, turquoise, coral, pen shell and lapis lazuli have been carefully measured, cut and shaped before being placed into hand-fabricated sterling silver channels. Rainbow Man is a powerful symbol in Zuni Pueblo culture. He is associated with rain, always a blessing in desert country. Rainbow Man is brother of Knifewing. About 1" long and 1 5/8" wide. Signed by the artist.

View item

Fitz and Marlo Kiyite's adorable panther reminds us of the fictional cartoon cat the Pink Panther. Carved from lively peach alabaster, this jet-eyed feline (Mountain-lion, cougar or puma) is about 2 1/4" long, 1/2" wide and 3/4" tall. The soft leather pouch that's approximately 3 1/4" tall and 2 1/4" wide is handmade by Moon Bags. A delightful 2-piece set.

View item

Sherdine Tsatte is the mother of Loren Tsalabutie who is following in his late father Jeffery Tsalabutie's carving footsteps. Loren is mentoring Sherdine and you can definitely see that familial style in her sweet Mountain-lion (cougar, puma or panther) smoothly sculpted from a tawny red onyx. Loren's father said to always give the animal carvings a flowing life movement something he's obviously instilling in his mother as well. Friendly eyes are from turquoise inlays. Approximately 4 3/4" long, 1 1/2" wide and 2" tall. View item

In the early morning hours, Loren Tsalabutie's Purisima stone Owl touches down on a favorite perch. Nothing goes unnoticed by this turquoise-eyed raptor with a soft sculptural quality. Loren shared this with us: "The stones I like carving are exotic and found throughout the world...The process I go through is first picking out a stone that is naturally shaped like the animals I’m going to carve then after a stone is chosen comes the fun part of carving...I utilize my motor and grinding wheel followed by my dremel and diamond bits, this part is where I carve underwater it helps prevent the dust from becoming airborne and also helps with the cooling of the stone and diamond bits. The final steps are sanding and polishing." Measurements of this intriguing feathered friend are about 2 3/4" tall, 2" wide and 2" deep.

View item

Virgil Long's hand-carved cottonwood "White Chin" Katsina doll is known as Tuma-uyi, an important bringer of rain. This sacred katsina is part of the enormous Katsinam of the Hopi Pueblo People believed to bring harmony in nature, beneficial rainfall, good crops, fertility and successful hunting. Bold acrylic paints are carefully applied to this approximately 9" tall, 2 1/2" wide and 2 1/4" deep lovely woodwork. Signed by the artist.

View item

Life is only possible when animal and plant life are regarded as kin the way Indigenous Peoples view all creation. Some Pueblo cultures view animals like the badger as a relative who emerged with humans, as sisters and brothers. It is a responsibility to care for and protect creation as one would care for a relative. Herbert Him, Sr.'s marble Badger shares a kincentricity with its ancestral pueblo home. The guardian badger has turquoise eyes and mighty digger claws. About 2 1/2" long, 2 1/2" wide and 1" tall.

View item

Representing bounty and feminine strength, Cheryl Beyuka's Corn-Maiden fetish dangle earrings reflect golden gold lip shell light and loveliness. Etched eyes are filled with jet paste and wisdom comes from an inlaid coral mouth. Corn kernels peep out. Turquoise, coral and jet inlays add pops of color. Including hooks, measurements are about 2" long and 7/8" wide. They are lightweight in wearability.

View item

A perched Owl is an observant raptor carved from a good-looking onyx that's been well-polished. It takes all things into account through cultured opal inlaid eyes. A tiny offering necklace is laced with faceted beads. The A:shiwi (The People) regard an owl as the Night Grandfather because he does his work at night. Measurements are approximately 2 1/4" tall, 1 1/4" wide and 1" deep, by stone carver and jeweler Benina Kallestewa.

View item

Ancient Assyrian mythologies are woven with accounts of aquatic water creatures: mermaids or sirens who were a part of the ocean and the ocean was a part of them. At one with the sea, Keli'i Eli's carved lapis lazuli mermaid's features include long flowing hair and a magnificent tail fin. The colorful mineral hosts tiny pyrite inclusions that subtly sparkle. A turquoise cabochon offering is caressed as she kneels among her mollusk friends. Keli'i worked in collaboration with award-winning Diné jeweler Freddy Platero who created the stunning silver-work including the removable bale. The collectible pendant is a generous and heavy piece that's signed by both artists. Dimensions including the convenient bale are approximately 4 1/4" long and 2 3/8" wide.

View item

Human caused climate change, wildfires and droughts effect mountain lions by reducing the availability of prey. Wildfires destroy huge stretches of habitat, so mountain lions must wander great distances to find food, sometimes bringing them into close proximity to people. It is essential to protect remaining mountain lion habitat, to build corridors that allow them to move unimpeded by human barriers and teach others to have a peaceful coexistence with the species. Wilson Romero's old-style Mountain-lion (cougar, puma or panther) is carved from found stone to a size of about 5 5/8" long, 1" wide and roughly 1 3/4" tall.

View item

Ancient cultures have used heart shapes in decorative art, long recognized as a symbol of love and affection. We've fallen head over heels for Cordell Pajarito's lovingly handmade sterling silver and opal heart earrings. Opals are said to heal a broken heart. They were created in the tufa cast method which involves slicing tufa into manageable portions, then carving the design. Molten silver is poured into the block and cooled. These eye-catching earrings for pierced ears measure about 7/8" long and 7/8" wide. They are medium-weight in wearability. Signed by the artist. View item

Clive Hustito's perched Picasso marble Eagle represents the Six-Directions in Zuni Pueblo worldview. In life there are Six Directions with a specific color and animal associated with each one. Long ago the Father of Medicine Societies, Po-shai-an-kia established predatory animals as guardians of the Six Directions who are healing and protective. The turquoise-eyed insightful raptor is one of the Six Directional animals including a black lip mother-of-pearl shell Mole, a mother-of-pearl Wolf, a dyed bamboo coral Badger, a turquoise Bear and a gold lip shell Mountain-lion nestled around the bird's talons. They are presented a top a gorgeous serpentine point. The conversing bird has lovely etched plumage included an incised "X" on its back which represents feathers as well. Dimensions in their entirety are approximately 4 1/4" tall, 2" wide and 3 1/2" deep.

View item

It's not yet summer but this industrious squirrel by James Panteah is already busy collecting acorns for the eventual winter season. Squirrels teach us many lessons one of which is to love yourself enough to plan for the future. Setting goals, strategizing and making informed decisions can make life easier down the road. Smoothly carved and beautifully polished from an orthoceras marble, this turquoise-eyed woodland friend is approximately 3" tall, 1 1/8" wide and 1/2" deep. It can serve as a reminder to start planning today.

View item

The Zuni People (A:shiwi) say human ancestors emerged onto Earth after passing through Levels of Emergence, a series of four wet and chaotic underworlds. When they surfaced on dry earth there were already powerful animals existing. These animals preyed upon the People since they were naked and defenseless. They cried out to the Creator or Great Spirit for help. Hearing these cries, Creator dispatched the heroic War Twins armed with lighting bolts. The War Twins struck the animals with lighting bolts and turned them to stone. Their hearts were left beating in ossified bodies. These creatures were entrusted with the mission of assisting humans on their journey in life. The spirit of these animals can be represented by the heartline or breath path feature starting at the mouth region leading to the heart. Kenric Laiwakete's resplendent turquoise-eyed Medicine-Bear features a stunning triple inlaid heartline from turquoise. Sculpted from labradorite, dimensions are approximately 3" long, 1" wide and 2 1/2" tall.

View item

We're happy to welcome Phyllis Lucio to Keshi's website with a handsome sterling silver ring. Native jewelry tells a story and connects people from many different backgrounds through stunning wearable art. The stone to stone inlay technique showcases turquoise, jet, pen shell, mother-of-pearl and red coral set meticulously side by side. The ring also has an attractive twist of sterling silver that adorns part of the band. The contrast is outstanding. Signed by the artist, this is a ring size 10 3/4, while the band is about 3/8" wide.

View item

Honor your father or father figure with Salvador Romero's Bear pair sculpted from a fascinating found stone loaded with baby swiss cheese-like holes, originating from his Cochiti Pueblo homelands. Celebrate paternal bonds with this approximately 6 3/4" tall, 3" wide and 2" deep loving bear and cub. It would make a fabulous Father's Day gift. View item

Contemporary inlaid jewelry is Zuni artists Nancy and Sheldon Westika's specialty. Notice the clean layout and precise workmanship in this pair of handsome sterling silver and bright red coral cuff links. Colorful pieces of coral and silver fit perfectly in the channel inlay jewelry technique. These approximately 5/8" square cuff links would make a treasured Father's Day gift. Signed by the artist. View item

A cute chubby-limbed Bear has a friendly temperament. Creatively carved from serpentine with augite by Brian Yatsattie, it sees the best in you through jet inlaid eyes. Noticing the best in others allows you to see the better parts of you. Upright with strength and potential at approximately 3" tall, 2" wide and 1" deep.

View item

Pappa Frog and baby bond in nature sharing amphibian stories from way back when. Father’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the connection between dads and children by enjoying some outdoor adventures together. Carved from one piece of matrix-rich turquoise, the water creature pairing is approximately 2" tall, 2 7/8" wide and 2 5/8" deep by Burt Awelagte. Happy eyes are from jet inlays.

View item

Anthony Gchachu's original "Zuni Mule Deer" painting depicts a serene and powerful Deer who shares a connection with the land. Earth’s surface is enriched with deer droppings creating a thriving environment for insects and other invertebrates that in turn, attract amphibians and reptiles. Masterfully worked with rich gold leaf and gorgeous acrylic paint on canvas, this signed by the artist artwork measures about 7 1/2" by 7 1/2" by 2" framed, in shadow box format. Unframed dimensions are roughly 6" by 6". Please click here to meet Anthony and explore his story of perseverance and hope.

View item

Surprise Dad this Father's Day with a gorgeous money clip, a convenient way to stash cash and credit cards. Sheryl and Strallie Edaakie's handmade stone to stone inlaid money clip is from sterling silver, pen shell, jet, coral, turquoise, mother-of-pearl and lapis lazuli. The color combination catches the eye. About 2 1/8" long and 3/4" wide. Signed by the artists.

View item

Botswana agate is a rare chalcedony mineral from the Bobonong district of Botswana, Africa. It formed long ago from volcanic lava activity. It's hard to come by and is beloved for lovely grey hues. Used throughout time in intaglio carvings and jewelry, it's thought to improve mental acuity. Brian Yatsattie's approximately 1 3/4" long, 1 1/2" wide and 3/4" tall Frog has been brought forth from a soothing portion of Botswana agate. View item

Keshi has maintained close ties to the Quandelacy family that go back many decades. Robin Dunlap lived and taught in Zuni during the 1980’s, serving on the founding board of the Keshi co-op and later as the owner. When the Keshi gallery was located within the old Santa Fe Village Mall and during SWAIA'S market weekend, Robin hosted an annual Friday night show for the Quandelacys attracting many collectors and art lovers. To this day, our Keshi gallery located at 227 Don Gasper Avenue in Santa Fe still hosts Quandelacy family members like Kateri Quandelacy Sanchez and her aunt Sandra Quandelacy during market season.

Anytime Kateri drops by the gallery with stunning stone carvings in tow it is a treat. Whether you shop in person at the gallery or on our online platform, you can be assured you're supporting an Indigenous artist like Kateri who sets her own wholesale prices, in keeping with our advocacy for fair treatment. Her latest offering is a richly carved lapis lazuli specimen with Corn-Maiden sisters and a guiding Owl. The mineral dances with sparkling pyrite inclusions. The Maiden's soothing faces are from iridescent gold lip shell, etched and filled with jet paste. Luscious red coral cabochons adorn them. The protective raptor has wonderful eyes from jet in gold lip shell that resemble crescent moons. An intricately worked piece that measures approximately 3 3/8" tall, 2 3/4" wide and roughly 1 1/4" deep.

View item

The A:shiwi (The People) teach we are interconnected with all beings including feathered friends who teach us to notice the small things in life. Because of its simplicity and an incised 'X' in its back, this is an old-style bird by Evalena Boone. Carved and nicely polished from a verdant serpentine, wide awake eyes are from red coral inlays. About 2 3/8" long, 1" wide and 7/8" tall. View item

When antlers naturally fall off, small animals sometimes gnaw them to obtain essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. This sustainable process helps bring nutrients back into ecosystems. Zuni artist Maxx Laate adores carving with shed antler as seen in a beautiful family of elephants each with soulful eyes from turquoise inlays. Unlike antlers that are shed annually, an elephant's tusks grow throughout the animal's lifetime. A huge decline in elephant populations from poaching during the 1980s resulted in laws to help protect the species. Former President Barack Obama issued an executive order on July 1, 2013 declaring a near-complete ban on international commercial trade in elephant ivory. Dimensions of this powerful pachyderm herd are approximately 3 1/2" tall, 6 1/2" wide and 2" deep. View item

Rainbow obsidian is a type of volcanic rock that contains nanoparticles of magnetite creating a subtle yet deeply gorgeous iridescence. That faint iridescence makes this adorable sitting Bear by Loren Tsalabutie appear as if it were pulled straight from the night's sky. Tiny heartfelt eyes are from turquoise inlays. Magnificent black bears are prevalent in New Mexico and are the principal animal for the A:Shiwi (The People). About 3" tall, 2 1/2" wide and 2 1/2" deep. View item

Turtles have a rain association in Zuni where their shells are prized for making rattles used by the Rain Dancers. Joshua Qualo's stunning turtle painting honors this traditional worldview in an 8" by 10" original colorful acrylic on canvas board composition. The lovely reptile feels like its swimming with ease while thunderous rain cloud elements replenish water stores. Signed by the artist.

View item

Quiet strength and superior agility are powerful attributes upon which Deer rely on for survival in nature. Earth’s surface is enriched with droppings creating a thriving environment for insects and other invertebrates that in turn, attract amphibians and reptiles. Bryston Bowannie's picture jasper buck has vigilant eyes from turquoise inlays, a mighty rack and cloven hooves. About 2" long, 7/8" wide and 2" tall. View item

The traditional tufa cast jewelry method was employed in the creation of handsome Horse ring by Joel Pajarito of Kewa Pueblo. His grandmother was renowned jeweler Mary C. Lovato. After cutting a tufa stone in half, smoothing out both surface sides and carving a sprue hole on top, Joel etched the fine equine design then poured in molten sterling silver to form this magnificent ring. Square and circular spiral motifs adorn the shank of this stunning ring that's a size 12 1/2. It is about 1" wide. Signed by the artist. View item

A stunning tail catches the eye on Brion Hattie's turquoise-eyed Mountain-lion (cougar, puma or panther). In nature a mountain lion's tail is heavy and strong providing maneuverability and balance for a successful hunt. The travertine specimen is special abounding with soothing tawny colors and interesting inclusions. An elegantly carved iridescent mother-of-pearl point with turquoise and red coral are offered in thanks for a mountain lion's boundary-setting example in the wild. About 3 3/4" long, 1" wide and 1 1/2" tall. View item

Zuni animal carvings have been used by the A:Shiwi (The People) for over a thousand years. By respecting the animals and acknowledging their special medicine or natural traits, we may summon our own similar attributes. Nelson Yatsattie's endearing bushytail (Fox, Wolf or Coyote) can speak of the discernment, flexibility and wisdom that is in us. Carved from Hestermanite which is in the marble family and inlaid with bright turquoise eyes, dimensions of this wild canine friend are about 5 1/2" long, 1" wide and 1" tall. Paws are sgraffito-etched. View item

The Zuni Sunface symbol represents a balance in life: traditionally, turquoise (blue) stands for Father Sky, coral (red) stands for Mother Earth, while mother-of-pearl shell (white) and jet (black) represent all the elements in harmony. Artists use their creative license and often choose different colored stones or shells in their pieces as did April Unkestine in the creation of this stunning bolo tie for Dad. Exquisite workmanship in the channel and stone to stone inlay techniques bring together lovely turquoise, iridescent mother-of-pearl, bright red coral, bold jet and pen shell inlays. The Sunface station itself is about 1 5/8" in diameter and is adjustable on the braided leather cord. The handmade complimenting sterling silver tips are about 3" long including the Sunface stations that themselves measure approximately 1" in diameter. Including the tips, the length of this handsome bolo tie is about 39". Signed by the artist.

View item

Harmonious balance and the best in workmanship is what makes the late Ryland and Claudia Gasper's sterling silver Zuni Sunface necklace and earrings set collectible. The Gasper's are known for collaborative Sunface work. The ancient traditional symbol represents the elements in balance. Mastery of the stone-to-stone inlay technique showcases sky blue turquoise, bold jet, bright red coral and iridescent mother-of-pearl set meticulously side by side. Every stone and shell has been slightly rounded for an irresistible raised effect. The necklace's center Sunface station is about 2" long with dangling feather element, while the side station's measure approximately 1 1/8" in diameter. The necklace is roughly 24" long with a handmade link chain. The complimenting and lightweight earrings for pierced ears are about 1/2" long and 1/2" wide. Signed by the artists.

View item

Bears have powers that we do not. They can walk short distances on their hind legs so an upright bear is considered healing and showing strength by Indigenous cultures. Bears will defend themselves even if wounded teaching us to stand up and fight for what is right. They are the most prevalent subject of Zuni animal carvings. Brion Hattie's standing Bear is masterfully carved from marble. Stunning etching results in a furry coat. The sweetest eyes are from turquoise inlaid to an endearing face. About 2 1/4" tall, 1 3/8" wide and 2" deep.

View item