Dark Mother-of-Pearl Maiden With Eagle by Gloria Chattin

A striking iridescent dark mother-of-pearl eagle with turquoise inlaid eyes carved by Gloria Chattin protecting a corn maiden with jet features. The pair reside on opposite sides of each other with the eagle's face carved in the round one edge. We love how painstakingly Gloria incised the feathers on the eagle side and the corn rows on the maiden side. The eagle's face appears in profile at one end of the carving, with turquoise inlaid eyes - one inlaid on each side. The corn maiden has five dots inlaid running down the center - utilizing small hand made dots of spiny oyster, lapis, apple coral and turquoise, There are incised lined added around the corn maiden suggesting the maiden's robe with one corn row and three incised dragonflies inlaid with jet pigment. The duo are inlaid to a Petoskey stone base for added stability that have turquoise chips glued all around the juncture. Note: the creamy white iridescent side is in shadow due to the concave curve of the shell. This carving depicts in shell the Zuni migration story that says that the tribe was saved from a flood by benevolent spirit animals. Maidens symbolize abundance, fertility and feminine energy and the corn maiden is venerated in Zuni for giving up her life for the health of the community. Artist: Gloria Chattin (signed) Size: 3/4 in. wide x 3-1/2 in. long x 4-3/8 in. tall, Base: 1-1/8 in. wide x 1-3/4 in. long x 1/2 in. tall #62980