Claudia Peina – Zuni Fetish Carver

In terms of original design, creative execution and sheer output, there is only one Zuni fetish carver – Claudia Peina. Learn more…

Over the years, Claudia has created numerous unique images – warrior maiden, ‘Hopi’ maiden, olla maidens, grinding woman, bread maker, bow priest, corn maidens and even haloed angels.  She is also well-known for her single and double frogs, domestic cats, rabbits, turtles and owls and bears.

Claudia’s images exhibit happiness, freedom and carefreeness – all a reflection of her own personality. Mentors include maternal grandfather George Haloo CheeChee, maternal aunt Rosalia Quam and  uncles Miguel and Ramie Haloo and her beloved deceased brother and original carving partner, Colvin Peina.  She has also mentored other family and non-family fetish carvers over the years, including her brother Troy Sice.

When new ideas for carvings are offered to her, Claudia will spend a few moments in silence and then announces that, yes, she ‘will give it a try’.  She always succeeds and thus is born yet another innovative design by this most creative Zuni fetish carver. The most original and imaginative Claudia Peina carvings are in elk antler.  Claudia’s recent series of standing bears is known as ‘Good News Bears’, small figurines in a dozen or more poses and ‘attitudes’.  They each bring joy to the beholder and are created with skill, speed and dexterity rarely seen among carvers. Back to top…