- Zuni Fetishes
- Mastodon Ivory & Turquoise Corn Maiden Necklace by Sandra Quandelacy
Mastodon Ivory & Turquoise Corn Maiden Necklace by Sandra Quandelacy
Mastodon Ivory & Turquoise Corn Maiden Necklace by Sandra Quandelacy
Fossilized mastodon ivory corn maiden fetish necklace by Sandra Quandelacy: seven multi-stone inlaid corn maidens on turquoise beads accented with river pearls, lapis and red coral and onyx, from our old pawn/estate collection.
Approx: 28" long plus 3 1/8" x 5/8" center pendant
Fossilized mastodon ivory corn maiden fetish necklace by Sandra Quandelacy: seven multi-stone inlaid corn maidens on turquoise beads accented with river pearls, lapis and red coral and onyx, from our old pawn/estate collection.
Approx: 28" long plus 3 1/8" x 5/8" center pendant
Sandra Quandelacy
The Quandelacy family, considered one of the most prestigious carving families of Zuni Pueblo, carve distinctive sleek, high-polished animals and lovely maidens. Sandra Quandelacy specializes in corn maidens. She is a sister to Faye, who’s maidens have been highly prized for decades. Sandra’s maidens are always outstandingly fine in quality and detail.
Corn Maidens
Corn Maidens, sometimes called the Grandmother of Light or Grandmother of the Sun, represent supernatural beings that gave the gift of corn to the Zuni people. According to Zuni mythology, the Corn Maidens emerged from the Middle World at the same time as the Zuni people. Legends vary at this point, but one story tells of insults and harassment that caused the Corn Maidens to leave the people, taking the village corn. With the Zuni people on the brink of starvation, Paytuma went into the Summer Lands with his painted flute, seeking the Corn Maidens. He found them and greeted them with the music of his song. As the Maidens greeted him, with a touch of his hand and the breath of his flute, he persuaded the Maidens to follow him back to their deserted people.