Black Marble Sea Turtle by Curtis Garcia

A striking black marble sea turtle carved by Curtis Garcia looking to its right side with turquoise inlaid eyes. Curtis has polished the turtle then incised decorative motifs all over the shell and feet. The designs stand out because they are not polished - depicting four deer dancers - a contrast to the Pendelton blanket motifs that Curtis normally uses. 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: Curtis Garcia (signed)Size: 2 in. wide x 2-1/4 in. deep x 3/4 in. tall#61839