We met Norman and Jackie at their house after arranging a meeting. We were in Zuni and had seen a few pieces in town at the trading posts and were blown away by the intricate inlay and beautiful styling. Norman was the carver and Jackie, being from a jeweler family, was very skilled in the inlay work but they weree just getting started as a team.

We became friends and soon enjoyed our visits even more because they made us feel so welcome. They invited us to stay with them for Shalako and so we experienced all the magic up close and personally. Dave and I both treasure the memories of those visits and conversations. They were devoted to old traditions and ways but also had a quick understanding and experiences of the modern world.

Their work quickly became popular and highly sought after. We were grateful they chose us to put their work online and did our best to represent them enthusiastically and honestly. After Norman became and then moved on from the Zuni Governorship, we lost touch. My elderly mother was living with us and we couldn't travel. Then I became ill with cancer and communication was slim for a few years while I recovered. Still, we have our memories.

I am fairly certain that this is the last Cooeyate/Ghahate maiden. Dave has a habit of "putting things back" so I could randomly open a box someday and there might be another .. but this is the last KNOWN maiden. She is 7" tall and absolutely exquisite. The delicate designs on the robe and pot are symbolic and traditional, the tiny carved corn are made from Mother of pearl, lapis, pink coral, Mother of pearl, turquoise and gold-lipped Mother of pearl. The tiny inlay is lapis, turquoise, lab opal and red coral, along with jet.

The maidens were not stable when finished, so Norman added antler "shim" to level their moccasins and so that she would stand strongly on her own. And, as I type this I see that the tip of the shim has chipped. It doesn't affect the stability and is merely cosmetic. It can easily be smoothed with an emery board, but I will leave that to you. This maiden was carved prior to 2001 and is signed.