Zuni Bear Fetish By Sarah Leekya

Late 20th/Early 21st Century

.75" H x 2.25" L x .875" W

Hand Carved from a Blue Green Stone with Brown Marble Lines and Inlaid Jet Eyes

From a Private Colorado Collection

Excellent Condition

Sarah Leekya (1930–2017) was a renowned Zuni Pueblo artist and carver, widely recognized for her intricate fetish carvings that embody traditional Zuni spiritual symbolism. As the daughter of Leekya Deyuse (1889–1966)—often hailed as the "father of Zuni fetish carving" and the first Zuni artist to gain widespread acclaim for his work—she carried forward a family legacy of craftsmanship that began in the early 20th century. Sarah's siblings, including Francis Leekya and Alice Leekya Homer, were also accomplished carvers, but Sarah outlived them and, at the time of her death, was the oldest active Zuni fetish carver. Her pieces, signed with her name, reflect a style influenced by her father's realistic yet spiritually infused approach, often featuring bears as central motifs due to their deep cultural significance.