It's just hard not to love them. Stewart's bears (in all their shapes and profiles) are so iconic. And just when I think I love the giant sized table fetishes, along comes a nice little traveling guy like this one, carved from fossil jasper, and I think maybe I prefer these. Beautifully carved, with the trademark "zig zag" turquoise heartline and inlaid eyes, he's just a handsome guy.
Bears are known for their knowledge of healing herbs and roots .. hence the medicine bear will have his nose to the ground. All bears are considered healing .. but white ones are thought to be the most powerful. Stewart does not sign his bears but they are easily recognizable. Only his sister, Georgia, carves a similar profile. But her's are always small and they are easily discerned from those of Stewarts.
If you would like to read more about the Bear's characteristics and attributes click here. And click here to hear "Bear" in Shiwi, the language of Zuni.