This beautiful Native American hand made high grade Sleeping Beauty turquoise, coral and sterling silver bracelet was handmade by Zuni artists Robert & Bernice Leekya. Made from heavy gauge sterling silver and set with five genuine natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise stones and six pieces of Mediteranean coral. Outstanding quality bracelet!
It measures 1-1/4 inch wide in the front with an inside end-to-end measurement of 5-3/4 inch plus a 1 inch gap and weighs 61 grams.
Robert Leekya is the son of famous fetish carver Leekya Deyuse. When his children entered school, Leekya requested that they take his first name as their surname. All of his children (Alice, Sarah, Elizabeth, Robert and Roger) did so. Robert and Bernice are a very well sought after couple, with deep roots in the Native American Jewelry community. The Leekya's work is bought by collectors all over the world. Robert's father (Old Man Aque or Leekya Deyuse) is the world's most famous early Zuni Carver. Bernice's Father was Teddy Weahkee. The Leekya's are now elderly and they make only a small amount of high end items.
The Leekya'a work is becoming increasing difficult to obtain since Robert's recent heart attack. In addition, due to the closing of the Sleeping Beauty turquoise mine, the prices on any new jewelry that they make, reflects the increases in the price of SLeeping Beauty turquoise.