This splendid Leekya Deyuse one strand necklace features 27 beautifully carved birds of cowery shell, mother-of-pearl shell and one red abalone shell bird. Leekya would always include 1 red bird on the left side of his necklaces that would rest over the heart. His daughters would often string his necklaces and use a traditional squaw wrap. Strung on olive shell heshi, each bird has finely carved wings. Center bird measures 1 1/2" by 5/8" graduating down to the smallest bird being 7/8" by 1/4". Hangs 13 1/2" long with total length of 27". Carved in the 50's.

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. Please visit our artist biography page for more history on Leekya Deyuse.