The first Native Americans of the Southwest to learn silver smithing were the Navajo, whose knowledge of silver came initially from the Spanish during the 1500s. It was not until 1870, however, that silver work really took hold in the American Southwest. After basing their technique on original Spanish methods, the Navajo began to adapt designs to incorporate traditional cultural meanings and their own sense of artistry.

During the 1880’s, Navajo silver smiths began setting stones in their pieces, specifically turquoise and other tribes such as the Zuni followed with their inlay style. For them, turquoise symbolized the sky and water and was associated with healing and protection. The American Southwest is an ideal environment for turquoise, which is a mineral generally found at higher elevations in semiarid regions.

After being marginalized as a culture due to Western expansion, native artists were able to use these locally mined stones and their skilled craftsmanship for monetary survival. Despite constraints on Native culture, jewelry design and innovation flourished.

The Zuni Knife-wing figure was a favorite among tourists during the early 1900's. As described by anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing, who lived with the Zunis from 1879-1884:
"This curious god is the hero of hundreds of folklore tales, the tutelary deity of several societies of Zuni. He is represented as possessing a human form, furnished with flint knife-feathered pinions, and tail. His dress consists of the conventional terraced cap (representative of his dwelling place among the clouds)... His weapons are the Great Flint-Knife of War, the Bow of the Skies (the Rainbow), and the Arrow of Lightning. His guardians or warriors are the Great Mountain Lion of the North and that of the upper regions. He was doubtless the original War God of the Zunis."
Zuni silversmith Horace Iule is credited with creating the first knife-wing design in the late 1920s. His first one was cut and filed out of wrought silver. Loved by Indian traders, they asked him to make more. Later, the knife-wing became one of the first designs that the Zuni jewelry artists inlaid with stones.

We are pleased to announce the opening of our exhibit, "Tradition And Innovation, Masterworks In Native American Art". This event includes paintings by R.C. Gorman, Helen Hardin and Fritz Scholder as well as the jewelry of Charles Loloma, Leekya and John Gordon Leak. These are only a few of the masters of Native American arts included in this recently purchased collection. We feel honored to offer these works to the public and invite you to view them on site or on our web page following the exhibition's opening on November 30, 2007.

Leekya Deyuse's work draws the highest prices of all Zuni fetishes. Because of it's historic and artistic value, authentic Leekya Deyuse fetishes and jewelry are eagerly sought by Museums, Institutions, and collectors alike. While Leekya was a prolific artist, much of his work has not survived and rarely do new pieces come to market. Leekya Deyuse prices have been steadily rising. Fetish carvings from Leekya Deyuse sell for $2,000 - $40,000. His work is even sold at Sothebys.

If you're interested in the amazing art of Southwestern jewelry, the book "Southwestern Indian Jewelry" is a must read. In fact, it's a must own. It is a fabulous source on the Native artisans who create the top of the line jewelry of this region, and gives tremendous insight into their process. The images alone are well worth it. We use this book constantly at the gallery, it's just that good.