Zuni Rock (travertine) Sea Turtles by Ron Laahty, Deceased

A small yellow ocher/tan colored Zuni rock, travertine sea turtle carving depicting three stacked turtles all with gold-lip and pen shell inlaid eyes. The two turtles on the top stand or rest on the back of the other. The sea turtle on the bottom is carved floating - thanks to the base made from the same stone. Carved by the now deceased Ron Laahty, all three of the turtles have incised shells, well defined pectoral flippers IE: the long, paddle/wing-like appendages. Indigenous people recognize the turtle as the symbol of Mother Earth - some Native Americans believe that the turtle contributed to creation because the turtle dove into the primeval waters to retrieve mud to create Mother Earth. The turtle is regarded as a skillful navigator through life's difficulties. Turtle medicine teaches one to go with the flow. Artist: Ron Laahty, Deceased (signed) Size: 1-1/16 in. wide x 3/4 in. deep x 1-5/8 in. tall #62168