A Zuni fetish necklace
Attributed to Leekya Deyuse, Zuni (1889-1966), a shell, turquoise and silver bead necklace strung with seven carved shell birds.
length 25in; largest bird length 2 1/4in
Footnotes:
Literature
For a similar example of Leekya's mother-of-pearl birds with wings outstretched, see Slaney, Deborah C., Leekya, Master Carver of Zuni Pueblo, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM, 2018, p. 47, pl. 14a. For a further discussion of Leekya's birds, see ibid., p. 41: 'The greatest detail in Leekya's birds may be found in the wings and tail, which are carved with needle files to indicate the ripples of feathers... In flying birds, the wings are spread outward, and the ripples are oriented diagonally and parallel to the bird's body on the top surfaces only.'

The collection comprising lots 33-55 was assembled between 1940-1975, beginning when the original collectors moved from Canada to the American Southwest to assist with the war effort in armaments and aircraft design. They were prolific travelers, both for business and pleasure, and always made a point of visiting the reservations to spend time with the local craftsmen and view their wares. Dubbed the 'Oasis Collection' by the original collector, the name honors the beauty of the arid landscapes surrounding the Four Corners, with the rich blues of the turquoise akin to the waters of an oasis. Having been passed down through the family, this collection brings to market for the first time an impressive array of works by the renowned Zuni carver Leekya Deyuse, many of which were acquired directly from the artist or through the trading posts that first introduced his distinctive style to the world at large. The Oasis Collection represents what is likely the largest concentration of unknown works by Leekya and other Zuni and Navajo artisans of the era to come to auction since the legendary C.G. Wallace Collection first set records for such artworks in 1975.

Necklace has been re-strung on wire with additional turquoise beads near the clasp to add length. Good condition overall with a few scattered scratches, scuffs and minor dust accumulation commensurate with age and wear. Scatered inherent flaws and nicks original to stones and shell elements.