“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Edgar Degas

A WORD ABOUT THE SET:

Art is much more than working with paints & brushes..In fact there is a wide spectrum when we think of the word "Art" since it comes in many forms. But art to my dear friend Kewa Puebloan Artist "Warren Nieto", comes in the form of lapidary and mosaic work, where he cuts all the different colored stones & shells in order to "Paint" his subject & this INCREDIBLE Corn maiden set is just that.. A "Painting" that tells the Puebloan story of one of the most sacred plants known to Pueblo culture.

ABOUT THE PUEBLO CORN MAIDEN:

Corn is one of the most sacred plants known to Native American cultures on both continents, North and South America, where this staple has been a main food source for the native communities since time unknown.The tale of the Corn Maiden and the importance of both the figure and all she represents in Pueblo Native American culture,these Maidens play a special role, symbolizing the prayers of the people for a bountiful harvest. They personify the bounty of life giving corn that grows in six different colors & in Pueblo tradition, it was long ago that the Corn-Maidens saved the people from famine and drought by nourishing them with sacred corn kernels from their bodies. You will always know the Corn "Maiden" who is known by having whorls of hair on the side of her head, that signify that she is a young unmarried woman who is without a child.

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THE CORN MAIDEN PENDANT:

Using all hand cut stones & shell to show the corn's growth, Warren shows the germination process where you will see (starting at the bottom right) the little cuts of turquoise that act as the seeds & the germination emergence is made with sterling wire. This is what produces the wonderfully cut "Ricolite Serpentine' corn stalk. To the left, are the white mother of pearl rainclouds & the chips of Italian coral that acts as the lightning which create the raindrops.

Gleefully & proudly standing in the background watching as her corn comes to life, is the proud happy maiden watching as her blessings grow. Having a face of MOP, black jet hair whorls, turquoise earrings, a shawl made of jet, sponge coral & mop, she also has a turquoise corn body that Warren hand sculpted to accentuate the kernels! The corn body sits raised above the base. All these materials are mosaic inlaid atop of a black jet backing. The pendant is removeable, so if you like, you can remove her & put her on sterling beads or anything else you may have! The bale has an approximate 3/4" (19 mm) opening but the necklace should be smaller in diameter, since you want the pendant to 'move & breathe' on the strand.

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THE TURQUOISE BEADED NECKLACE:

The necklace is made of bright blue Kingman turquoise with accents of red Spiny shell. Precisely cut, the beads are impeccably cut in a 4 mm roundness. It's made of 4 strands & measures 21" & is topped off with small sterling cones & a 3" long useable extender in case you want to drop the length! The great thing about the necklace is how versatile it is!! Wear this with the pendant, wear the beads alone or put another pendant with it! If doing the latter, remember the pendants bale has to be large enough to fit over 4 strands ( The bale of another pendant should be 19 mm or larger.)

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THE EARRINGS:

These were made to match the necklace! See all photos (If you need a photo of them on the ear,let me know!)

This is a ONE OF A KIND-piece of ART!!! It would be like owning a painting by Warren & can be treasured just like any piece of 'Fine Art" !