Lena Boone – Zuni Fetish Carver of the Teddy Weahkee / Edna Leki Lineage

Lena Boone (Zuni Pueblo) was a respected and widely collected fetish carver whose work reflects one of the most influential family lineages in Zuni art. She was the daughter of Edna Leki and the granddaughter of Teddy Weahkee. Both of these artists are recognized for shaping the modern form of Zuni fetish carving, and Lena continued that tradition with her own steady and recognizable style. Her connection to this artistic heritage gives her work an important place in contemporary Zuni carving.

Lena’s carvings are often described as traditional in spirit yet open to the possibilities offered by her materials. She carved a variety of animals including bears, wolves, frogs, and mountain lions. Many of her pieces were created from stones such as serpentine, marble, and turquoise, but she also embraced unusual materials like art glass when it allowed the carving to reveal a different type of personality or movement. Her approach emphasized clean, confident forms with a calm presence that reflected both her family’s history and her own artistic voice.

Collectors appreciate Lena Boone’s work for its sincerity, balance, and connection to the foundational generation of Zuni carvers. Her pieces are often chosen for homes and personal collections because they carry a sense of warmth and continuity, linking modern carving traditions directly back to the early masters who helped define the art form. Lena Boone passed away in August 2024, and her work continues to be valued for its place within the long and well-known Boone, Leki, and Weahkee family tradition.