
Edna Leki
Provenance
The upper four fetishes are water serpents carved from antler with remnants of quail feathers. The four water serpent fetishes are substantial in size; one measuring 4.25 inches long, two measuring 5.25 inches long, and the largest measuring 6 inches in length.
The bottom four fetishes are wolves; three are carved in serpentine and one in alabaster. Each measures approximately 4 inches long.
All eight fetishes are in perfect condition and each have Edna's distinctive shell arrowhead bundles.
Edna Leki (c. 1924 - 2003) is believed to have been Zuni's first female fetish carver and is the daughter of famed fetish carver and lapidarist Teddy Weahkee. Weahkee became well-known for a style of fetish carving that closely resembles historic Zuni forms and Edna carried on that carving tradition.
She originally worked in channel inlay jewelry, but when her father reached an advanced age, she assisted him in fetish carving; and, thereafter, she devoted herself to carving.
Edna Leki and her father are credited with producing the very first fetish bowls for the commercial market, rather than for ceremonial use. The pots themselves, to which Leki applied crushed turquoise and directional fetishes, were typically made by an Acoma potter.