221107-141 Vintage Zuni Fetish Mountain lion / Cougar by Peter and Dinah Gasper; Signed and Dated
ca 1981
3"L
Signed "P & D Gasper '81"
Peter and Dinah Gasper, have established reputations as master carvers, with their carvings highly desired by collectors. Pete and Dinah carved fetishes in the traditional style for which the family has become known. They were the first carvers to inlay heart lines into their fetishes. Peter passed away in 2011. Both had retired prior to his death.
Peter Gasper (deceased, born 1938) and Dinah Gasper (1944-) are said to have been the first Zuni fetish carvers to inlay fetishes with heartlines. They also figured out a way to inlay their hallmark into their stone carvings using a small round piece of silver (not all their carvings have this).
Peter and Dinah Gasper carved together in the traditional style. Dinah, daughter of Edna Leki and the granddaughter of Teddy Weahkee, comes from a strong lineage of Zuni fetish carvers.
In the mid 1950s, Peter studied at the Santa Fe Indian School in the field of painting, but applied his artistic skills to Zuni fetish carving after he met Dinah. He would go on to teach silversmithing at the Zuni Craftsmen Cooperative Association.
For a period of time, Peter and Dinah carved primarily water animals, such as frogs, turtles, fish, etc. The Gaspers are known also to have carved a wide range of creatures, however - as stand-alone carvings or part of Fetish necklaces. They have won many prestigious awards.