Egyptian Marble Bat on Abalone Shell Base By Zuni Artist Eric Lonjose

This Egyptian marble bat by Zuni artist Eric Lonjose has a more architectural, sculptural presence than many small animal carvings. The warm, layered tones of the marble give the bat a natural depth, while the abalone shell base and turquoise chip accents add contrast and luminosity. At 3 1/4 inches tall, it reads as a substantial small sculpture, with the uncommon bat subject made even stronger by the refined pairing of marble, shell, and turquoise. 3 1/4 inches tall.

His bat carvings are especially appealing for their combination of subject matter, refined finish, and thoughtful use of material.

Bat carvings remain an unusually specialized subject in Zuni art, created by only a small number of artists among the several hundred working in the community today.