S. Yazzie Navajo Alabaster Bear & Human Transformation Carving

A hand-carved figurative sculpture in rose- and salmon-toned alabaster shot through with natural red veining, worked in the contemporary Navajo stone-carving tradition of the late 20th century. The composition reads as a human figure with long flowing hair emerging from and merging into a stylized bear form rising above the head — the transformation or "spirit" motif long central to Diné carving. The face is smoothly finished and inward-turning, set against hair rendered in fine chiseled striations that carry the whitened surface texture across the shoulders and crown.

All faces of the stone are covered in incised geometric decoration — lightning bolts, stepped terrace patterns, and arrowhead motifs — drawn from Diné iconographic vocabulary and highlighted in white against the warm mineral ground. The piece sits on an integral flat base and is signed "S. Yazzie" in incised script on the underside. Yazzie is a prolific surname among recognized Navajo carvers working across New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

The bear-and-human merger is a high-interest theme among Native American art buyers, and this example pairs it with dense iconographic detail across every visible surface. Strong regional relevance for the Mesilla Valley market, where Diné stone carving finds a steady collecting audience.

CONDITION

Excellent, no damage. Natural mineral inclusions and veining are inherent to the alabaster. Incised white pigment highlights remain crisp throughout.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 7" H × 2" W × 1.5" D
• Weight: 1 lb
• Material: Alabaster
• Signature: "S. Yazzie," incised on underside of base
• Campbell's Cream of Celery Can (4" H) Shown for Scale — Not Included