Maidens & Standing Beings

She is carved from shimmering mother of pearl and holds a pin mussel shell bowl with four ears of corn.  Carl Etsate carved a delicate tablita, and inlaid jet and turquoise eyes and a red coral mouth.  The four ears of corn are carved from lapis, mother of pearl, and turquoise.  She has inlaid turquoise dots below her neck, and turquoise, lapis and coral dots on her body.  She stands on a base of cedar with crushed turquoise. Her etched long hair goes all the way down her back.

Size: 3.5" H x 1.125" L x .75" W

This tall and lovely corn maiden is also an olla dancer - more about that below.  Carl Etsate carved her from antler and inlaid jet eyes and an opal mouth.  Her olla (pot) has designs etched in all around and is filled with turquoise.  Her hair is carved and extends all the way down her back.  She has a 2.5" cedar corn on the front.  Turquoise and opal dots are inlaid on her body.

Size: 7.25" H x 1.125" L x .875" W

This lovely green turquoise corn maiden was carved by Carl Etsate.  He inlaid jet and turquoise eyes, a jet mouth, and dots of catlinite and jet on the front.  She wears a tablita on head, and her body has beautiful etchings on the front.  Her hair goes all the way down her back.

Size: 2.5" H x .75" L x .5" W

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Carl Etstate made this beautifully intricate olla corn maiden from deer antler.  She has inlaid jet and turquoise eyes and an catlinite mouth.  The olla (pot) on her head has crushed turquoise on the top, and her straight bangs are below.  She has five turquoise dots inlaid under her head and turquoise, catlinite, and jet dots on the front.  On the back, her hair flows from the pot to her feet.  More about corn maidens and olla maidens below.

Size: 3" H x .5" Diameter

Female corn beings represent all that is good about being a woman: loving, generous, nurturing, kind, strong with great compassion.  In tribes that traditionally grow corn, most of the stories are the similar.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  In Zuni Pueblo, there are three ages of female corn beings: the maiden who wears her hair in the traditional buns on each side, the mother who has one or more babies, and the elder grandmother who wears her shawl over her head. There are dances to honor the female corn beings in many of the Pueblos.  And in other tribes, she is held in a place of great honor.

Zuni olla maidens are women who dance with fragile water jars, or ollas, balanced on the top of their heads. These women play an important role in Zuni, acting as cultural ambassadors for the community portraying and preserving cultural traditions for future generations.  Zuni Olla Maidens sing songs of their own composition in their language, as well as those written by male community members. They dance with drums, rattles, and instruments that sound like frogs.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Carl Etsate carved this sweet sky blue turquoise corn maiden and inlaid jet eyes and mouth.  There are also inlaid dots of catlinite and jet on the front and back.  She is wearing a tablita on her head.  Her body is carved to represent corn kernels, with additional geometric patters.  Her hair goes all the way down her back.  She is so lovely!

Size: 1.75" H x .5" Diameter

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Zuni carver, Jonathan Natewa, carved this corn maiden from jasper and inlaid turquoise eyes, mouth and three dots down the front.  He also etched plants on the front and back, cattails on each side, a butterfly on the back as well as long hair.  She is lovely!

Size: 2.675" H x .5" L x .5" W

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

She is delicately carved by Danette Laate of dolomite.  She has turquoise dots inlaid around the edges of her wings and inlaid jet eyes.

Size: 1.75" H x 1" L x .375" W

Every spring in Zuni Pueblo, the Butterfly Maidens dance around the time that the flowers bloom. 

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Garrick Weeka carved this stately Corn Maiden from deer antler.  She is has inlaid turquoise and a mouth, and red coral and turquoise inlaid on the front her body in the carved corn kernels.   The corn kernels appear to be encased in leaves in the front.  On the back, her hair beautifully engraved, and down her back is a detailed feather.  She definitely has a presence!

Size: 4.5" H x 1" diameter

Female corn beings represent all that is good about being a woman: loving, generous, nurturing, kind, strong with great compassion.  In tribes that traditionally grow corn, most of the stories are the similar.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  In Zuni Pueblo, there are three ages of female corn beings: the maiden who wears her hair in the traditional buns on each side, the mother who has one or more babies, and the elder grandmother who wears her shawl over her head. There are dances to honor the female corn beings in many of the Pueblos.  And in other tribes, she is held in a place of great honor.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

She happily stands on crushed on turquoise over a dolomite base.  Carl Etsate carved her from a shimmering piece of abalone that is red and gray on the back.  Her eyes are inlaid jet and turquoise, and she has a red coral mouth.  Her tablita is beautifully carved, as is her body of corn kernels and geometric lines.  There are inlaid turquoise, jet, and catlinite in the kernels.  Her hair is etched all the way down her back.  

Size: 2.5" H x .75" L x .5" W

Female corn beings represent all that is good about being a woman: loving, generous, nurturing, strong, with great compassion.  In tribes that traditionally grow corn, most of the stories are the similar.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  In Zuni Pueblo, there are three ages of female corn beings: the maiden who wears her hair in the traditional buns on each side, the mother who has one or more babies, and the elder grandmother who wears her shawl over her head. There are dances to honor the female corn beings in many of the Pueblos.  And in other tribes, she is held in a place of great honor.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

She sways to the right and we can imagine her swaying to the left afterward as she happily views the baby corn plants.  Carl Etsate carved her from deer antler and carved a beautiful tablita on her head.  Her eyes are inlaid jet, catlinite, and turquoise, and she has an inlaid catlinite mouth.  Her body is carved corn kernels and geometric patterns.  Her hair goes all the way down her body.  Isn't she lovely?

Size: 3.675" H x .675" Diameter

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Carl Etsate carved this olla dancer corn maiden from cedar.  She carries a beautifully decorated pot on her head with crushed turquoise. Her eyes are inlaid jet and turquoise , with a catlinite dot mouth.  The corn kernels are well carved, as well as the geometric designs, and there are inlaid dots of turquoise and jet.  Her engraved hair goes all the way from her head to the bottom on the back. (More on olla dancers and corn maidens below.

Size: 3.75" H x .75 Diameter

Zuni olla maidens are women who dance with fragile water jars, or ollas, balanced on the top of their heads. These women play an important role in Zuni, acting as cultural ambassadors for the community portraying and preserving cultural traditions for future generations.  Zuni Olla Maidens sing songs of their own composition in their language, as well as those written by male community members. They dance with drums, rattles, and instruments that sound like frogs.

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This corn maiden stands straight up and looks into the distance.  What do you think she is looking at?  Carl Etsate carved her from antler and inlaid jet and turquoise for eyes, and a catlinite mouth.  He carved a delicate tablita she wears on her head.  She has carved corn kernels and geometric designs on the front and back with inlaid turquoise, jet and catlinite dots.  Her hair goes all the way down the back.

Size: 3" H x .5" Diameter

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

She sways to the right and we can imagine her swaying to the left afterward as she happily views the baby corn plants.  Carl Etsate carved her from deer antler and carved a beautiful tablita.  Her eyes are inlaid jet and turquoise, and she has an inlaid catlinite mouth.  Her body is carved corn kernels and geometric patterns.  Her hair goes all the way down her body.  Isn't she lovely?

Size: 3" H x .875" L x .75" W

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Carl Etsate carved this stately corn maiden from deer antler.  She has a beautifully detailed tablita on her head.  Her eyes are inlaid jet and turquoise, as well as a catlinite dot mouth.  The corn kernels are well carved, as well as the geometric designs, and there are inlaid dots of turquoise, and jet.  Her engraved hair goes all the way from her head to the bottom on the back.

Size: 2.75" H x .5 diameter

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Carl Etsate carved this corn maiden from deer antler.  She has a beautifully detailed tablita on her head.  Her eyes are inlaid jet and turquoise eyes, and a catlinite dot mouth.  The corn kernels are well carved, as well as the geometric designs, and there are inlaid dots of turquoise, and catlinite.  Her engraved hair goes all the way from her head to the bottom on the back.

Size: 3.25" H x 1" L x .75" W

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing, and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  Corn maidens come with a card detailing the meaning, the carver, and the material they are carved from.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Zuni carver, Carl Etsate, carved this graceful corn maiden with a detailed tablita (head piece) from bone.  The curve of her body and her round mouth make it seem like she is singing and swaying.  He inlaid jet and turquoise eyes, and a catlinite dot mouth.  There are five inlaid turquoise dots around her collar area.  The body is detailed corn and hatch lines, with inlaid turquoise, jet, and catlinite.  Her detailed hair goes all the way down her back. 

Size: 3.5" H x 1.625" L x .5" W

Corn maidens represent everything good about being a woman: strong, kind, compassionate, nurturing and powerful.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.