Sarah Leekya — Zuni Inlay Artist
Sarah Leekya — Zuni Silversmith
Sarah Leekya (1932–2017; Zuni) was active since the 1940s, working in channel inlay, mosaic inlay, and carved stone jewelry. She was the daughter of Leekya Deyuse — the celebrated Zuni lapidary master — and the sister of Francis and Robert Leekya. Her work carried forward the Leekya family tradition of carved stone and inlay that her father established as one of the most recognizable lineages in twentieth-century Zuni jewelry.
For the family patriarch, see Leekya Deyuse.
The Mark
"Sarah Leekya (1932–2017; Zuni). Active since 1940s. Channel inlay; mosaic inlay; carved stone jewelry. Daughter of Leekya Deyuse. Sister of Francis and Robert Leekya. Mark: S. Leekya"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Mark: S. Leekya — the initial-and-surname form common to the Leekya family tradition. The surname stamp links her work clearly to the Leekya lineage.
Family Links
- Daughter of Leekya Deyuse (Zuni) — see Leekya Deyuse
- Sister of Francis Leekya — see Francis Leekya
- Sister of Robert Leekya (Zuni)
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Schaaf, Gregory, with Angie Yan Schaaf. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies, ca. 1800-present. American Indian Art Series, Vol. 5. Santa Fe: CIAC Press, 2003. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
Know more about Sarah Leekya or the Leekya Deyuse family Zuni silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 176) named Sarah Leekya as a sister of the Zuni inlay jeweler and carver Alice Homer, both daughters of Leekya Deyuse. [1]
Schaaf (2003) entered her as
“Sarah Leekya (stamps S. Leekya)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 214 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 214) recorded Sarah Leekya as Zuni, born in 1932 and active from 1942 in mosaic, channel inlay jewelry and fetish necklaces, a daughter of Leekya Deyuse and Juanita Cooyate, a sister of Alice, Elizabeth, Francis, Robert and Roger Leekya, and taught by her father, with Thunderbirds as a favorite design. [1]
Sarah Leekya told Schaaf (2003):
“My father was a kind teacher.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 214 [1]
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and compiled from published references. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.