A lovely rich Corn Maiden has been hand carved by Zuni artist Kateri Sanchez out of a solid piece of Lapis Lazuli stone. She is ribboned with lovely Pyrite flecks like stars and constellations swirling on a midnight cloak. Her face has been inlaid and carved from Mother of Pearl, and at her throat is a tiny Coral handmade cabochon. Her traditional shawl is lovingly carved and ornamented with crushed jet stars, and a large Dragonfly is carved on to her back symbolizing sacred rain. 

Lapis is the stone for vision, wisdom, spirit and truth; also a crystal of harmony and friendship encouraging love without fear. Lapis assists one who is attuned into seeking higher knowledge and retaining that wisdom.

Size is 35mm in height by 28mm at her widest point, and she is 16mm thick.

Corn is the crown of the Earth Mother, and is an important staple food for some Native Indigenous tribes. Symbolically corn represents abundance, nurturance and fertile growth. Bearing the colors of the four directions, yellow, blue/black, red and white it is a plant that is revered for the sacred nourishment that it brings. Corn Maidens are welcomed and displayed inside the home to show respect to the Earth Mother for the many gifts and blessings that she bestows. 

"There's a story about how the six corn maiden sisters saved the Zuni people from famine long ago by feeding them the kernels of their body during a time of drought. They were taken for granted and left the Zuni village and when the people realized they'd gone it was too late. So they sought them out and begged them to return, but they agreed only on the condition that they not be taken for granted again. So we use corn in many aspects of our culture. When a baby is born, he or she is given a perfect ear of corn that's been blessed and is kept with the baby for protection. We grind corn into cornmeal that we use as offerings in prayers and ceremonies. These are just a few examples but because corn is so important to the Zuni people, the corn maiden reflects these things for me. They also represent abundance, fertility, and growth."

- Kateri Sanchez