Hello, It’s been awhile, A local non-profit has asked me to give them an offer on a jewelry lot they have and this is in the lot. Dose anyone know anything about the artisan Chris Leja or What does Ursa Eartha stand for? What would you call the subject matter? It does test for sterling and the clasp is marked 925. Any Help is Appreciated and Thank You for Your Time
I can’t help much, except that Ursa is bear in Latin, so “earth bear?” As opposed to the constellation Ursa Major (Big Dipper or the greater bear) which would be a bear in the sky?
Ursa arctos horribilis is a Grizzly bear
Thank You, That’s Great Info and a Start
Ursa is the feminine form of ursus, so it’s a female bear, and the woman — is it possible this is a tribute to (or reference to) the singer Eartha Kitt? It’s not a common name. Ursa and Eartha sound alike except for the S —> TH consonant change. Also, she recorded on an independent label called Bear Family.
research artist Christine M. Leja
Hear Me Calling Words and music by Chris Leja (1991), recorded on “She Changes” by Moving Breath (1991).
Mother Earth hear me calling, I’m your daughter, you’re my home
Sister Moon hear me calling, in the night we’re not along
Father Sun hear me calling, let your strong guide shine in me
All my ancestors stand by me, teach my spirit to be free.
Ho Spirit By Chris Leja (1991), recorded on “She Changes” by Moving Breath (1991).
Ho Spirit, Air Spirit, Golden wings come dance with me.
Ho Spirit, Fire Spirit, Crimson passion burns in me.
Ho Spirit, Water Spirit, Tears and oceans blend in me.
Ho Spirit, Earth Spirit, Stone and crystal steady me.
Ho Spirit, Ho spirit, Ho spirit!
Ursa Eartha is a “Latinizing” of Earth Bear, I suppose. It’s not properly Latin but it approximates it.
My guess is, an individual artisan’s effort using storebought supplies. Nothing ties it to Native American production.
I literally own this piece its in my hand as we speak it has made it from arizona to illinois.
Hello Shannon, What a Small World. You must have gotten it from Angela Gage from Arizona Bliss and she got it from me. I was in her show the night of her auction. Congratulations it’s such a great piece of jewelry. Wear it in Good Health
Yes Ma’am I did get it from her I absolutely love her and order frequently many vintage pieces and turquoise.