Explore the Description of this artwork, California (sculpture).
California was carved by Powers in the form of young woman. She holds a divining rod (a tool purportedly able to detect gold deposits) in her left hand, crossed in front of her body, while her right hand holds a branch covered with thorns. These two symbols represent both the outward opportunity and hidden dangers of pursuing the alluring lands of California. To the figure's back-right stands a column of quartz; as gold was often found among quartz deposits, the mineral's depiction represents the mineral wealth of California, both the state and the sculpture.
divining rod quartz California