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Leland Boone | ||
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The Boone family of carvers have exceptional taste in stones and this hefty turtle is made from septarian nodule. Septarian is a very unique stone found in only a few places on earth. In the USA septarians are found near Zion National Park in Southern Utah. They are also found in Mahajanga in Madagascar and Morocco. They were formed in an ancient sea floors during the Cretaceous Period 50-70 million years ago. As they weathered out of the gray or tan clay hills one at a time, they could be picked up on the surface. Now bulldozers are required for their excavation which usually 20 to 30 feet underground. Septarian nodules are unusual to look at and can vary considerably in color and shape. In contrast to most geodes which are volcanic in nature, septarians are a form of sedimentary geode. They formed on sea beds millions of years ago and when they dried out they cracked and formed hollowinteriors. The interiors usually become either partly or completely full with other minerals, such as calcite, giving septarian its unusual texture and features. Volcanic eruptions killed the sea life and they became trapped in the sediment and formed mud balls then the ocean receded and the balls were left to dry and crack. The ocean returned depositing more shell life above them. As this decomposed calcite from shells was carried down into the cracks of the mud balls and calcite crystals formed. A thin wall of calcite was transformed into aragonite dividing the bentonite shale clay exteriors from the calcite centers. Septarian is also known as Dragon Stone and the name comes from an old Malagasy legend. It is said that when the dragons died out they fossilized & became part of the sea bed that later became septarian and it is this formation that resembles the scales of dragons! The eyes of this turtle are inlaid of Sleeping Beauty turquoise and the fetish is unsigned which is more often than not typical of carver and family. All-in-all this is a great carving for your pond!
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The Zuni Fetish Story
If you're new to Zuni fetish collecting and interested in learning more about them, we have written a short article about Zuni fetishes and what they mean to the Zuni culture. CLICK HERE to read the article on Zuni fetishes.
Zuni Fetish Meanings
We've written this article to inform Zuni fetish collectors about the specific meanings and attributes of the more traditional Zuni fetish carvings.
CLICK HERE to read the article on Zuni fetish meanings.
The Zuni LanguageIf, as a Zuni fetish collector, you haven't had the opportunity visit Zuni Pueblo but would enjoy hearing some words in the Zuni language, we hope you'll findthis article interesting and informative. CLICK HERE and turn up your volume to enjoy! The Zuni Spirits BlogIn an effort to keep our collectors informed of new arrivals, posts of interest to Zuni fetish collectors, the latest critters to visit our east Texas woods, rants, raves and rambles will be published HERE at the Zuni Spirits Blog. You may subscribe (& unsubscribe) at this link. | ||
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If you would like to read more about the Turtle's characteristics and attributes