Dark Mother-of-Pearl Bear With Maidens by Kateri Sanchez

A striking iridescent dark mother-of-pearl bear with two corn maidens incised behind its head on the left side. Both the maidens and the bear have jet inlaid features. The maidens' hair and the bear's head are carved in the most prominent golden and iridescent parts of the shell. There are incised jet pigment dragonflies and start bursts added around the heads of all three of these striking lovelies. In Zuni tradition, combining a corn maiden and a bear represents the ultimate balance between the life-giving forces of nature and physical protection. It pairs the sustenance of the harvest with fierce guardianship Artist: Kateri Sanchez (signed) Size: 3-1/8 in. long x 5/8 in. deep x 2-1/4 in. tall #64760