Two Strand Necklace, 50 Fetishes, 24 Tabs

This splendid 2 strand fetish necklace with 50 fetish carvings and 24 hand-shaped turquoise tabs, was created by Leekya Deyse, the first Zuni artist noted by name for his work.

Imagine owning a wonderful little shop in Center City, Colorado, a booming tourist have in the post World War II west!  The beautiful hand-crafted things you would have to choose from !!! Some things you would want to keep for yourself--"just because". Well, this is one of the special pieces that were set aside. The owner is now 91 and offering this treasure from her collection a good home.

From the plump, friendly frog, circa 1930's and the circa 1930's-1940's "pedestal" birds (drilled where tiny feet would be holding onto the necklace cord) to the more streamlined, curved shell birds created in the later 1950's, one sees a sampler of Mr. Deyuse's creative life span.

This not only is a beautifully made collection of carvings, it is a joyous gathering of creatures, crafted lovingly by an outstanding and gentle man. His work is embued with life that lifts the spirit with a special "magic", that only true art can possess. Only true art takes with it a piece of the artist's heart and soul.

This necklace is like wearing a "guardian angel"--the feel of it is so comfortable and reassuring.

Turquoise was probably supplied by "Old man Verderwagon".  In the Four Corners area, he was one of the main suppliers of carving materials to the Zuni. Leekya and his family did a lot of trade for his turquoise.

Leekya Deyuse is one of the most sought after Zuni jewelers and fetish carvers. Working for C.G. Wallace in the 1920's making tab, nuggest and disc bead necklaces, Leekya advanced into carving fetishes and miniature sculptures. By 1926, he was fashioning fetish necklaces.

At times he was known to have collaborated with Teddy Weahkee, Dan Simplicio and Luke Billy Yazzie. Leekya favored working with silver, coral and natural turquoise. He made bears, deer, squirrels, horses, rams, steers, birds, ducks, frogs, turtles, butterflies and leaves--all shaped distinctively.

More than 30 years ago, a three strand necklace by Leekya sold for $10,000 at auction, the same year a different Leekya necklace sold for $14,000. This artist's work was included in an exhibition held in 2002 "Jewels of the Southwest" held at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.