Dark Mother-of-Pearl Maiden by Sandra Quandelacy

A striking dark mother-of-pearl maiden figure carved by Sandra Quandelacy depicting a corn maiden on one side and a mother on the opposite side - both have jet inlaid features, wear turquoise and coral dot pendants and have incised long flowing hair. The prominent shimmering white concave side depicts a mother holding a spiny oyster corn cob surrounded at the base by turquoise chips - with incised corn rows and a turquoise, opal and coral dot inlaid within the corn rows. To the left side of the maiden are four incised dragonflies inlaid with jet pigment. A corn maiden has been carved on the convex side of the shell - with nicely incised corn rows and five inlaid dots - created from apple coral, lapis, turquoise and jet. This corn maiden is carved on the iridescent side - with the face and base of the shell displaying the characteristic coloration. Maidens symbolize abundance, fertility and feminine energy and corn maidens are revered in Zuni for giving up their life to help sustain the Zuni tribe with their corn bodies. Artist: Sandra Quandelacy (signed) Size: 1-3/8 in. wide x 1-1/8 in. deep x 3 in. tall #63852