Inlaid Abalone Shell Sterling Silver Bear French Hook Earrings.

These earrings are colorful pieces of fine hand made jewelry. This pair features dazzling southwestern Pueblo Indian style inlaid designs. They feature hand cut stones of genuine Abalone Shell. This Abalone Shell delivers a dazzling display of shining natural colors. The Sterling Silver casings create traditional bear symbols. Non Indian made. These French hook earrings are 2-1/8" long. Stamped Sterling.

A potent source of strength was the bear, whose powers were often invoked before entering battle. Warriors sometimes painted their faces with marks resembling bear claw scratches and carried double-edged knives with handles carved from the jawbones of bears as good luck charms. It was believed that bear power could also cure illness. Shamans or medicine men from many different groups frequently dressed as bears when working to heal the sick. Just as honoring the bear spirit could bring blessings to people, provoking the spirit might bring them harm. For that reason, some tribes, most notably the Apache, forbade their hunters to kill a bear, or even to touch the carcass of one found dead in the woods.