Enrike Leekya

Enrike Leekya carved the big bushytail from travertine and the little bushytail from pink mussel shell.  They both have inlaid turquoise eyes and noses, and detailed faces, and tails.  The little bushytail has an offering of a turquoise arrowhead and stands on the offering of a black-lip Mother of Pearl arrowhead. 

Size: 2" H x 4" L x .875" W

Wolves, coyotes and foxes all look the same in the distance.  In Zuni there is a word that translates into "bushytail" in English.  You get to determine what this carving looks like to you!

WOLF  Wolves are intelligent, resourceful creatures that live in their own communities called packs.  They have excellent communication skills and are protective of one another.  The leaders of their community are called “alpha” and are usually males and females, although there are known to be alphas that are only females (yay to the matriarchy!).  The alphas are the only wolves in the pack who breed, and they also eat first.  They are the strongest and most intelligent wolves of the group.

FOX  Foxes are playful, clever, quick, and protective of their young.  They also mate for life, and are indigenous to every continent except Antarctica.

COYOTES Coyotes figure prominently in Native American history.  In some tribes, they are powerful creation beings who teach us by doing things that turn out wrong, or even disastrous.  Oftentimes, they have a humorous quality.  In their natural environment they live in packs, hunt together, and protect one another.  Once one hears them yipping at night it is never forgotten.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Zuni carver Enrike Leekya carved this elegant swan from fish rock serpentine.  It has turquoise eyes and a detailed jet beak.  the wings are detailed.  We appreciate the graceful long neck!

Size: 2.5" H x 2.25" L x .875" W

Swans are the largest of all waterfowl, and one of the largest of all flying birds.  Swans usually mate for life, although "divorce" sometimes occurs, particularly following nesting failure, and if a mate dies, the remaining swan will take up with another.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This happy frog was carved from travertine by Zuni carver, Enrike Leekya.  It even has a big smile on it's face!  In addition to its inlaid turquoise eyes it has five inlaid turquoise dots, one on each leg and one in the center of its back.  The nostrils are detailed as are the toes on each foot.

Size: 1.75" H x 2.125" L x 1.675" W

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and are able to be on land or lily pads.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.