Zuni Olla Maiden

Zuni Olla Maidens are one of the most renowned dance groups in New Mexico. The members dance with fragile water jars, or ollas, balanced on the top of their heads. Traditionally ollas would be used to transport all kinds of things including corn meal or water. Maegan Shetima carved this olla maiden from travertine onyx with many layers of color. She wears a necklace of inlaid turquoise and inlaid turquoise decorates her skirt. Her eyes and mouth are also inlaid turquoise and the soles of her boots are jet. She dances with an ear of corn in each hand. Maegan incised traditional Zuni designs on the woman's olla including a Sunface, stars, and lightning. She stands about 3" tall, 1" wide, and 1" deep.