UNITY

When this artist conceptualized a design that depicted the ''unity'' of cultures and nature that thrive in the Land of Enchantment, he had no sense of the saga he was about to embark upon.

From the center of the horse's back, the artist wanted rays from the sun to encircle animal drawings inspired by pre-Columbian drawings and carvings. On one side he chose to represent the predominant native tribes in New Mexico: the Navajo, Pueblo and Jicarilla Apache. On the other, he selected a tableaux that presented the Europeans who settled in this land: Spanish conquistadors, the missionaries, Mexican farmers and Western ranchers. On the horse's forehead, he placed a green hand, a gesture of friendship and symbol of the eventual union of cultures that took place.

To give the full-sized original the representation of ''unity'' impact he felt it deserved, the artist decided not to paint this pony, but to onlay it with tiny Indian seed beads, applied one at a time. This stunning work is covered with over one million five hundred thousand beads -- a feat that took the artist 1,400 hours -- over 100 days to complete. So impressive was the outcome that it was nominated for the Guinness Book of World Records and received the award for the most ambitious Pony. 

Retired Limited Edition.

No longer available from manufacturer.

Extremely limited availability.

Made of solid ceramic.

Measures 6'' high.

Hand-numbered.

From The Trail of Painted Ponies.

2003.