Custom Coral Earrings

Unusual and very organic, these beautiful old earrings were custom made for a client who never picked them up.  

Leekya Deyuse carved the coral cabochons.  The silver work could have been done by any one of four artists working with Leekya during the 1940's to produce for C.G. Wallace and Old Man Vanderwagon at that time.

They were acquired from Leekya just after World World II by a family member of the trader who sold them to the present owner offering them.  There is no question of their authenticity.  Full provenance will be provided with these rare earrings.

Worn they are even more stunning.  They were designed to enhance!  This pair is a one and only.

They are shown in their original form, with original screw back fasteners.  Should someone prefer to have them converted to pierced, then post or wires can be arranged after purchase.

More modest coral earrings by Leekya Deyuse sold 18 September 2020 for $3,000 at Cowan's auction as seen in last photograph in this listing.  These coral earrrings measured 3/4" in height.

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, nugget 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.  More recently a turquoise and coral two strand fetish necklace by Leekya was sold through SavvyCollector.com in excess of $35,000.00.

This artist's work was included in an exhibition held in 2002 "Jewels of the Southwest" held at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.