Antler Bat By Zuni Artist Lewis Malie (2 1/2 inch)

Lewis Malie is a Zuni carver known for finely worked animal sculptures in antler and bone, including bats. In a field of several hundred working Zuni artists, bat carvings remain a notably specialized subject, and Malie is among the relatively few artists working with them. His work is valued for its clarity of line, balanced composition, and lively presence.

This 2 1/2-inch Lewis Malie bat is a closely related variation on the antler-based bat theme found in many of his other works, but in a smaller and more condensed format. The carving has a particularly intimate quality, with the bat held tightly within the natural contour of the antler and the burr again serving as both textural body mass and visual anchor. The smaller scale gives the piece a more concentrated presence, with the bat reading almost as if discovered within the antler rather than imposed upon it. Its strength lies in restraint: clear silhouette, compact form, and a strong balance between carved line and natural material.