Maidens & Standing Beings

This fearless Warrior Maiden was carved by Claudia Peina.  She holds a sterling silver shield and spear.  Half of her hair is in the traditional bun that Pueblo maidens wore and the other half is the long hair of warriors.  She has an inlaid red coral mouth and turquoise, jet, and red coral dots inlaid within the geometric designs on her clothing.  A turquoise dot is on the side of her moccasins.  She is tiny and mighty!

Size: 2.125" H x .675" W x .5" W

In Zuni and other Pueblos there are stories about a time when the people were being attacked.  When the battle was not going well for the people a A young woman picked up a shield and spear and joined the battle.  She was powerful and successful in battle and helped protect her people.  She is known by the traditional bun that young Pueblo women wear and the long hair of a warrior.  She is remembered through the ages for her courage, fearlessness, and bravery.

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 fearless Warrior Maiden was carved by Claudia Peina.  She holds a sterling silver shield and spear.  Half of her hair is in the traditional bun that Pueblo maidens wore and the other half is the long hair of warriors.  She has an inlaid red coral mouth and turquoise, jet, and red coral dots inlaid within the geometric designs on her clothing.  A turquoise dot is on the side of her moccasins.  She is tiny and mighty!

Size: 2.125" H x .675" W x .5" W

In Zuni and other Pueblos there are stories about a time when the people were being attacked.  When the battle was not going well for the people a A young woman picked up a shield and spear and joined the battle.  She was powerful and successful in battle and helped protect her people.  She is known by the traditional bun that young Pueblo women wear and the long hair of a warrior.  She is remembered through the ages for her courage, fearlessness, and bravery.

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 fearless Warrior Maiden was carved by Claudia Peina.  She holds a sterling silver shield and spear.  Half of her hair is in the traditional bun that Pueblo maidens wore and the other half is the long hair of warriors.  She has an inlaid red coral mouth and turquoise, jet, and red coral dots inlaid within the geometric designs on her clothing.  A turquoise dot is on the side of her moccasins.  She is tiny and mighty!

Size: 2.125" H x .675" W x .5" W

In Zuni and other Pueblos there are stories about a time when the people were being attacked.  When the battle was not going well for the people a A young woman picked up a shield and spear and joined the battle.  She was powerful and successful in battle and helped protect her people.  She is known by the traditional bun that young Pueblo women wear and the long hair of a warrior.  She is remembered through the ages for her courage, fearlessness, and bravery.

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 fearless Warrior Maiden was carved by Claudia Peina.  She holds a sterling silver shield and spear.  Half of her hair is in the traditional bun that Pueblo maidens wore and the other half is the long hair of warriors.  She has an inlaid red coral mouth and turquoise, jet, and red coral dots inlaid within the geometric designs on her clothing.  A turquoise dot is on the side of her moccasins.  She is tiny and mighty!

Size: 2.125" H x .675" W x .5" W

In Zuni and other Pueblos there are stories about a time when the people were being attacked.  When the battle was not going well for the people a A young woman picked up a shield and spear and joined the battle.  She was powerful and successful in battle and helped protect her people.  She is known by the traditional bun that young Pueblo women wear and the long hair of a warrior.  She is remembered through the ages for her courage, fearlessness, and bravery.

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.

Her wings have inlaid opal dots on jasper and she is holding a Mother of Pearl ear of corn with green malachite leaves.  Perhaps this is one of the corn plants that she helped pollinate in the spring as she flew from corn stalk to corn stalk.  She is carved from Mother of Pearl and has inlaid lines of jet, along with inlaid turquoise dots.  She stands on a base of jasper.

Size: 1.75" H x 2" L x 1.125" W

The butterfly maiden is associated with young women in spring time.  In some traditions the butterfly is associated with pollination, transformation, the process of becoming, and beauty.

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, Davey Cooeyate, carved this Corn Maiden from antler.  She has inlaid turquoise eyes and mouth, and a feather in her hair.  She is wearing a shawl that goes over her shoulders and down to the ground. Her hair goes more than half way down her back.  More about Corn Maidens

Size: 3.125" H x .75" L x .375" W

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.

Zuni carver, Davey Cooeyate, carved this smaller Corn Maiden from antler.  She has inlaid turquoise eyes and mouth, and a feather in her hair.  Her body is engraved corn kernels with a variety of inlaid stones.  Her hair goes more than half way down her back.  More about Corn Maidens

Size: 2.875" 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.

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, Davey Cooeyate, carved this Corn Maiden from antler.  She has inlaid turquoise eyes and mouth, and a feather in her hair.  Her body is engraved corn kernels with a variety of inlaid stones.  Her hair goes more than half way down her back.  More about Corn Maidens

Size: 2.675" 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.

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 graceful Corn Maiden is from Zuni Pueblo and is made from antler.  She has inlaid turquoise eyes and mouth, bangs, and detailed tablita on her head.  She wears turquoise around her neck.  Her body is detailed corn kernels and she is wearing a shawl that goes down to her feet. The shawl has inlaid turquoise dots in geometric designs on the borders in front.  She feels so good in the hand!  Signed "AL" on the bottom.

Size: 5" H x 1" L x .75" W

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.

Davey Cooeyate carved these two Corn Maiden sisters and a baby from antler.  So many lovely details!  The faces have inlaid turquoise eyes and mouths, the bodies are engraved corn kernels, and there are inlaid dots of turquoise, blue and purple stones in geometric engravings.  The two sisters are wearing small tablitas on their heads.  More about Corn Maidens below.

Size: 4.75" H x 3.25" L x 1.375" W

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.

Zuni carver, Daniel Chattin, carved these two corn maiden sisters from pink mussel shell, one on the front and one on the back.  They stand on crushed turquoise on top of a sandstone base.  There are so many lovely details!  On one side, the details include sky blue turquoise at her neck, detailed corn body, four dragonflies, and geometric shapes on her shawl.  On the other side , the details include a natural red coral at her neck and a sky blue turquoise under the engraved corn body, two dragonflies, and geometric designs on her shawl.  "DC" is engraved on the bottom.  More about corn maidens below.

Size: 5" H x 4" L x 2.25" W

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.

Corn Maiden sisters can represent the relationships we have with our sisters, both biological and chosen.  When given as gifts, they can represent that the giver will always have her sister’s loyalty, trust, and support.

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, Daniel Chattin, carved this corn maiden from pink mussel shell.  She stands on crushed turquoise on top of a sandstone base.  There are so many lovely details!  The details include sky blue turquoise at her neck, detailed corn body, a total of eight dragonflies, geometric shapes on her shawl, and a corn stalk on the back.  "DC" is engraved on the bottom.  More about corn maidens below.

Size: 3.875: H x 3.75" L x 2.25" W

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.

These two Corn Maiden sisters are back to back, ensuring safety for all three of them.  One of the maidens has an olla (pot) filled with turquoise on her head.  Her eyes are inlaid jet and her mouth is inlaid coral.  She has a ring of inlaid lapis on her chest.  Corn kernels are engraved on her body, and on each side of her body are stars inlaid with lapis, coral, and a purple stone.  At her feet is a maiden baby wearing a tablita on her head and a ring of coral on her chest.  Her eyes and mouth are inlaid jet.  The other Corn Maiden is also wearing a tablita and has jet eyes and a coral mouth.  She has turquoise inlaid on her chest and turquoise, coral, and a purple stone inlaid into engraved corn kernels.

Size: 3.75" H x 1.25" L x 1" W

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.

Zuni carver, Carl Etsate, carved this serene Corn Maiden with a detailed tablita (head piece) from antler.  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 jet dot mouth.  There are five inlaid red turquoise dots around her collar area.  The body is detailed corn kernels and hatch lines, with inlaid turquoise, jet, and red coral.  Her detailed hair goes all the way down her back. 

Size: 3.75" H x 1.5" 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.

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.

Gabe Sice made this graceful corn maiden from antler.  She is wearing a tablita which is worn during ceremony.  She has inlaid coral on her face and neck, and jet eyes.  Her hair and corn kernels are beautiful detailed.  She has a sterling silver lop at the top of the head so she can be worn.  More about corn maidens below.

Size: 2.5" L x .5" w

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.

Gabe Sice made this graceful corn maiden from antler.  She hs the two traditional buns on each side of her head.  There is inlaid turquoise and coral on her face and neck.  One maiden has all red coral inlaid on her face and neck.  Her hair and corn kernels are beautiful detailed.  She has a sterling silver lop at the top of the head so she can be worn.  More about corn maidens below.

Size: 2.5" L x .5" w

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.

Gabe Sice made this graceful corn maiden from antler.  There is inlaid turquoise, coral, and turquoise on her face and neck.  Her hair and corn kernels are beautiful detailed.  She is wearing a tablita, a head piece worn in ceremony.  She has a sterling silver loop at the top of the head so she can be worn.  More about corn maidens below.

Size: 2.25" L x .5" w

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.

Vickie Quandelacy created these tall corn maiden sisters on a conch shell and there is so much to see!  Starting with the left side of the opening of the shell there are two carved turquoise and one apple coral corns that are nestled inside etched corn leaves.  Just inside the shell is a dragonfly and a star.  The maiden on the right side of the opening has an engraved feather on her head and an inlaid jet and mouth, and inlaid elements of turquoise, coral, and jet.

Moving to the right around the shell, there are dragonflies and stars that continue to the opening.  The next maiden has a gold lip Mother of Pearl face, inlaid jet eyes and mouth, and elements of turquoise and coral inlaid on the front.  Her sister next to her also has jet inlaid eyes and mouth, with apple coral, turquoise, and jet on her body.

The shell is signed on the bottom.

Size: 5" H x 4.25" 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.

Sandra Quandelacy carved this tall and lovely corn maiden from green turquoise.  Her hair is beautifully detailed with a bun in the back.  Her eyes and mouth are inlaid jet.  She has a turquoise dot and a coral dot at her neck.  Her shawl has three dragonflies etched into it, and her front is also detailed.

Size: 2.25" H x 1.675" L x .5" W

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.

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

Size: 3.25" H x .75"L x .5" W

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.

This Keeper of the Corn was carved by Elton Kaamasee from antler.  He stands with feathers on top of his long hair and wears a shawl wrapped around himself.  One hand peeks out of the shawl holding an ear of corn with inlaid turquoise kernels.  He stand on a base carved with corn inlaid with turquoise and long corn leaves.

Size: 4.75" H x 1.5" L x .75" W

Corn is indigenous to the Americas and has been a staple of Indigenous people for thousands of years.  There are over 2,000 varieties of corn in the Americas, and many ceremonies involving corn.  Zuni Pueblo is also noted for the beautiful corn maidens carved there.

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 sterling silver overlay Butterfly Maiden was made by Hopi jeweler, Frank Lahaleon.  She is so beautiful!  She has a feather tied into her hair, face paint, and is holding a bow with two ears of corn.  Her dress has traditional designs and she is wearing mocassins with leg wraps.  Her butterfly wings have traditional designs which include water, lightening, mountains, snow, and whirlwinds.  It has a 1.25" pin on the back, as well as a loop for a chain.  More about the overlay technique below.

Size: 3" H x 1.5" W

Hopi Overlay  Overlay jewelry is made by sawing out two sheets of sterling silver or gold the same size.  Hopi jewelers texture the bottom sheet with hatch marks.  It is then oxidized to turn it black.  The design is drawn on to the top sheet of silver which is then carefully sawed out with a fine jeweler's saw. The edges are filed smooth.  The top piece is soldered on to the bottom piece.  Sometimes, there are many small pieces that are also soldered on to the bottom sheet of silver.  It is then polished to a high sheen.  Overlay is very labor intensive!