An ethereal and sacred moment captured in time...
A delicate Dragonfly Maiden hovering atop a hidden Oasis..
If you listen closely, you can hear her Prayer of Thanks for the Life-Giving Water that is vital to our World.
The Dragonfly is a sacred messenger who carries our Prayers to the Spirit World and represents the sign of Rain & Life, while the Maiden embodies a deeper connection to the symbolic Feminine Spirit which represents Strength, Renewal and Life-Sustaining elements.
The combined symbolism brings together the sacred role of the Feminine Essence which embodies the continuation of Life.
This Award-Winning Elk Antler Dragonfly Maiden is hand crafted with expertly incised traditional Pueblo hair buns and blunt bangs .
She is adorn with a handmade Gold Mother of Pearl feather, set in her hair with Sterling Silver.
Her eyes are inlaid with black Pen Shell and her mouth is inlaid with red Mediterranean Coral.
The necklace is inlaid with Mediterranean Coral and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise.
Her gleaming wings are hand carved Gold Mother of Pearl and carefully inlaid into robe worn by the maiden. The wings represent Freedom.
The front of the robe is inlaid in the likeness of the Pueblo Rain Sash.
The inlaid wed Mediterranean Coral represents Creation.
The incised lines Above and Below represent Falling Rain.
A line of Lapis pigment represents the Sky.
A line of Red Pipestone pigment represents Vitality.
A line of green Serpentine pigment represents the Earth.
All three represent the connection between the Sky, the Earth and the continuation of Life.
The hem of her manta is inlaid with Black Jet pigment which represents Time.
She wears traditional moccasins with inlay of Sleeping Beauty turquoise and the soles are burnished for contrast.
She is held in place with a Sterling Silver pin.
The base is made from a hand carved Elk Antler crown and inlaid with handmade Sterling Silver leaves & cattails, which were made with the tips of the Elk Antler, to create an Oasis that represents Peace & Harmony.
A hand carved lily pad of Chinese Turquoise & lily of Pink Mussel Shell are set on top of the pool of water with Sterling Silver and represents Mindfulness.
This Dragonfly Maiden was awarded 2nd Place at the Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market and Festival on June 28-29, 2025.
She was created by repurposing timeless traditional materials such as Bone, Shell, Coral, Turquoise, Natural Pigments and more recently Metals.
The ability to use modern tools allows for the jewelry quality inlay and contemporary flair.
Bring the special Blessings and all the Elements of this Water Spirit into your home.
Artist: Ray Tsalate
Signed: Tsalate
About: 5-1/2't by 3-1/2"w by 3-1/4"d
Item# 1704