Angie Cheama — Zuni Silversmith
Angie Cheama is a Zuni jeweler known for nugget and turquoise and coral cluster work with silver leaves, and the mother and teacher of Wayne Cheama. Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I lists her as Zuni, born 1932, active from 1949, taught by her parents, and records that she first made jewelry with a little torch and a hand pump (Schaaf 2003, p. 113). Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists her as Angelita Cheama, Zuni, born 1932, a silversmith since about 1950 who began marking her jewelry in 1970, making nugget ranger buckles, bracelets, rings and necklaces (Hougart 2022, p. 86).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry pictures two barrettes of hers, one in turquoise and coral and one in turquoise (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 26). See also Wayne Cheama.
Her hallmark
Schaaf records her work signed A. CHEAMA and Angie C. Zuni (Schaaf 2003, p. 113); Hougart gives ANGIE C. and A. CHEAMA (Hougart 2022, p. 86).
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References
- Schaaf, Gregory, with Angie Yan Schaaf. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies, ca. 1800-present. American Indian Art Series, Vol. 5. Santa Fe: CIAC Press, 2003.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Revised and expanded 3rd edition. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2006.
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and compiled from published references. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.