Picasso Marble Turtle by Herbert Him

A large brownish ocher, gray and black veined Picasso marble turtle with turquoise inlaid eyes carved in high relief climbing up an incline with the Zuni village carved in low relief on the back side. Herbert has incised the scuts on the turtle's shell and he ad created a realistic version of the village walls on the opposite side. 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: Herbert Him (signed) Size: 5-1/2 in. long x 2-1/4 in. deep x 1-1/2 in. tall #62714