Zuni carver, Daniel Chattin, carved these two corn maiden sisters from pink mussel shell, one on the front and one on the back. They stand on crushed turquoise on top of a sandstone base. There are so many lovely details! On one side, the details include sky blue turquoise at her neck, detailed corn body,four dragonflies, and geometric shapes on her shawl. On the other side , the details include a natural red coral at her neck and a sky blue turquoise under the engraved corn body, two dragonflies, and geometric designs on her shawl. "DC" is engraved on the bottom. More about corn maidens below.

Size: 5" H x 4" L x 2.25" W

Female corn beings represent all that is good about being a woman: loving, generous, nurturing, kind, strong with great compassion. In tribes that traditionally grow corn, most of the stories are the similar. There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn. In Zuni Pueblo, there are three ages of female corn beings: the maiden who wears her hair in the traditional buns on each side, the mother who has one or more babies, and the elder grandmother who wears her shawl over her head. There are dances to honor the female corn beings in many of the Pueblos. And in other tribes, she is held in a place of great honor.

Corn Maiden sisters can represent the relationships we have with our sisters, both biological and chosen. When given as gifts, they can represent that the giver will always have her sister’s loyalty, trust, and support.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal. Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.