Antler Maiden by Claudia Peina

A plump antler maiden carved by Claudia Peina with jet slit style inlaid eyes and apple coral mouth. The maiden's mouth and right eye are carved in a creamier area surrounded by a gray tinge on the rest of the face. There is meticulously incised hair strands and a "whirl" hairstyle, more accurately known as the squash blossom or butterfly whorl - created by wrapping a young unmarried woman's hair in a figure-eight pattern around a U-shaped wooden frame. The resulting circular coils are worn on each side of the head and resemble the wings of a butterfly or the petals of a squash blossom. There is a necklace composed of eight apple coral beads with a larger coral 'pendant' inlaid at the center. The maiden wears a shawl that is burnished before the lines of the fringe are incised - creating a striking contrast. The hands are carved in relief over a metate grinding stone. Claudia incised a chip carve technique all over the stone. Native Americans used a metate as a milling stone to grind and process various plant foods, such as corn, nuts, and seeds, into flour, meal, or paste. Maidens symbolize abundance, fertility and feminine energy. Artist: Claudia Peina (signed) Size: 1-7/8 in. wide x 1-1/2 in. deep x 3-7/8 in. tall #63857