Silver Box with Perching Bird »

Leekya Deyuse

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About The Artwork

Charming little silver box with fetish bird standing in a bezel on the lid. Like so many of the Wallace auction pieces, this one was a collaborative venture. The red abalone bird was carved by Zu?i master, Leekya Deyuse. The beautifully made and stamp decorated box was created more as a pedestal. As with most things made prior to WWII, the box has no markings. Condition is all original with no damage. The finish has not been tampered with. As with most of Mr. Deyuse's carvings, advantage has been taken of the various color layers in the shell. One side of the bird is more cream to grey with tomato red wing and tail, while the other ranges in the silver with lavender and blue to blue green tones. They look like two different birds each standing 3/4" tall and 1" in length. Each eye is denoted by a tiny round inset circle of black jet. This is a rare opportunity for Leekya fetish and box collectors alike!

About The Artist

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.

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