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Leekya Style Stone Carved Necklace [186066]

Currency:USD Category:American Indian Art / Art - Jewelry Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 7,500.00 USD
Leekya Style Stone Carved Necklace [186066]
SOLD
750.00USD+ (187.50) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2024 Sep 09 @ 17:29UTC-7 : PDT/MST
UNCLAIMED MERCHANDISE: In the event that a successful bidder has paid in full for their merchandise but fails to settle outstanding shipping invoices or make arrangements for merchandise pickup within 60 days, HWAC reserves the right to declare the merchandise forfeited. This forfeiture will result in the merchandise becoming the property of HWAC and the successful bidder shall have no claim to or rights over the forfeited merchandise.
Beautiful "Leekya rock" (turquoise) carved necklace with turquoise nuggets.

Spectacular carved turquoise "leaf" or flattened spruce cone (5.5" long, 1.5" wide, 3/4" thick) with chief's bust on top on one side made of turquoise with black "spiderweb" intertwined throughout (1/2" each +/-), flanked by 8 large turquoise nuggets on each side with gold beads in-between, joined by a gold conical connector at the neck. No maker mark, as typical of carved pieces. Gross weight 289g. This is the largest of such pieces in the Lewton Collection.

This piece is in the style of famous turquoise carver Leekya Deyusekya (1889-1966). Leekya had a life changing experience when he participated in the archaeological dig at Hawikuh Pueblo about 12 miles southwest of Zuni from 1917-1923. During the excavations, a number of stone carvings were uncovered, exciting Leekya's imagination. About 1920 he began carving his own, generally using Navajo silver mounts varying in nature and style. Later still he began using a symbol as a signature of his work. The Hawikuh site becomes very important in the Zuni culture of old and new. The site dates to before the arrival of the Coronado expedition of 1540. Coronado thought Hawikuh was Cibola, one of the mystical "seven cities of gold." Coronado wrote of the turquoise, but was in a quandary on the lack of gold. [] [] [] [] []