F562 Tyrone Poncho
Serpentine Frog by Zuni fetish carver Tyrone Poncho. The 1 ½” x 1 ½” x 5/8” frog’s back is embellished with small pipestone rounds. Turquoise eyes
Frogs are associated with water and rain. He asks the spirits to bring abundant rain. Frog is also the fertility fetish. Women often keep a frog fetish by their bed when hoping to become pregnant. Frogs and tadpoles represent the cycle of life.
About the artist
Tyrone Poncho
Zuni Fetish Carver Tyrone Poncho. Well-known for his etched pocket fetish horses and frogs with coral inlay. Family members include Gordon, Alex, Dan, Stephen and Todd. Tyrone is a member of the extended Quam family.
While few in number, the Poncho’s are quite prolific fetish carvers. In most families, the older carvers train the younger members in the art of fetish making. In this case, Gordon, one of the younger generation, was the first to carve under the tutelage of his then-wife Georgette Quam. Not long after Gordon’s father Dan began to carve.
All of the family create fetishes with simple clean lines. Some resemble old style carvings, while others are more traditional.
