We are loving Jayne's work of late! This precious little turtle is carved of azurite/chrysocolla (copper complex materials) with outstanding color. If that weren't enough, the smooth, rounded lines and sweet profile of this turtle are only outdone by the even sweeter tiny baby turtle inlaid on the back.

Jayne is married to Lynn Quam and this turtle is similar in inlay style to one we have in our collection by Annie quam (d.), Jayne's late mother-in-law. Signed.

TURTLE: The turtle is a symbol of the earth in most Native American cultures. He is also associated with self-reliance, non-violent defense and being a skillful navigator through life's obstacles. Though he is not a traditional puebloan fetish, he is carved frequently today by many different artisans. Some will carve them in a realistic style and others will employ inlay and sgraffito to decorate the turtle's shell.

Click here to hear "turtle" in Shiwi, - the Zuni Language.