Antler Maiden by Claudia Peina

An elegant antler maiden with jet inlaid eyes and coral mouth carved by Claudia Peina with incised hair placed in a squash blossom whorl - a traditional Hopi hairstyle that designates this woman is single. The maiden wears a 10 dot coral squash blossom necklace - that in Navajo culture is believed to represent fertility, abundance, and protection. The maiden's matta/dress peaks out from under a cloak and features a turquoise six dot flower with coral stamen inlaid near the bottom of the dress. There are lines incised near the edge of the dress as well - inlaid with jet; creating seven triangles - inlaid with four pen shell and three coral dots. We have been told that the triangles with dots at their centers depict rain clouds. The cloak is the pièce de résistance - with geometric incised lines inlaid with four coral, six turquoise and two pen shell dots. On the back of the cloak - incised lines inlaid with jet form a rectangle with four coral beads added at each corner with jet lines leading to them - creating star bursts. In the middle of the back of the cloak; Claudia has incised a diamond shape form created with four triangles and two diamonds - then Claudia inlaid two coral, two pen shell and two coral beads - again in their centers. Maidens symbolize abundance, fertility and feminine energy. Artist: Claudia Peina (signed) Size: 1-3/4 in. wide x 1 in. deep x 4-5/8 in. tall #62978