ZUNI PUEBLO, N.M.: A hand-carved figure held sacred by a Native American community in New Mexico has been returned to the tribe by an Ohio auction house, the company said.
The 15-inch wooden war god was returned to Zuni Pueblo authorities in late August after it was discovered in an estate collection that had been consigned to Cowans Auctions, the company said Thursday in statement.
The company’s director of Native American, prehistoric and tribal art, Danica Farand, said she recognized that the figure was from the Zuni Pueblo and began the process for its return, assisted by the Authentic Tribal Art Dealers Association.
The Zuni recognize the war gods as living beings, and their removal from the shrine where they live represents an affront to Zuni cultural traditions, Farnand said in the statement. The war gods are…