Birds are an extremely important part of Puebloan culture. The feathers from 66 of the 73 local or migratory birds are used ceremonially by the Zuni*. And so -- it is only natural that they would also be carved as fetishes by many of Zuni's artisans. Delvin Leekya has carved this beautiful bird from local travertine - Zuni Rock - that is mined by the Leekya family since Leekya Deyuse (d.) began carving. The location of this mine is a closely guarded secret though once, while we visited on his front porch, Francis Leekya (d.) pursed his lips and pointed in the general direction of the mine. (Pointing, in Zuni, is considered impolite. Pursing one's lips and "smooching" in the general direction is the proper way to indicate direction.)

In addition to the beautiful lines of this ground-hugging bird, Delvin has inlaid a gorgeous variety of stones and shells. The wings are abalone, turquoise and apple coral. The tail feathers turquoise and black pearl. The eyes are inlaid of turquoise. It's a beautiful tribute to the feathered members of Zuni Pueblo. Signed.

* Edmund Ladd, Ethno-Ornithology of the Zuni