Annie Quam Gasper
Overview
Annie Quam Gasper (1927–2002) was a Zuni artist active from the 1950s until 2002 — a long working life that Hougart fills out unusually well. Her documented range covers needlepoint, channel and mosaic inlay, and a spider web design, with some early bead work. She was a student of Horace Iule and worked at C. G. Wallace in the 1950s. She was a sister of Ellen Quandelacy, and a multiple award winner.
The Mark
"Annie Quam Gaspe r ( 1927-2 002; Zuni). Active 1950s-2002. Needle point; channel and mosaic inlay; spider web design . Some early bead work. A studen t of Horace lule. Worked at C. G. Wallace in the 1950s. Sister of Ellen [Quandelacy] • . Multi awa,d winne, . Mad,s, A. 0 . G. o, A Q G ZUNI (no pe,iods afte, 197S)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The marks as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: A. Q. G. or A Q G ZUNI (no periods after 1975).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Revised and Expanded 3rd Edition. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2006 (first published 1992). Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2006.
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From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 148) named Annie Quam Gasper as a sister of Loretta Eriacho, a Zuni cluster jeweler active from about 1935 who worked with her husband, Sefferino Eriacho, and of Ellen Quam Quandelacy. [1]
Schaaf (2003) entered her as
“Annie Gasper (Annie Quam Gasper), (stamps AQG, ZUNI)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 159 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 159) recorded Annie Quam Gasper as Zuni, 1927-2002, active from about 1952 in channel inlay, needlepoint and fetish necklaces, with a Grand Prize at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, her work in the C.G. Wallace collection and in the 2002 exhibition Jewels of the Southwest in Santa Fe. [1]
Schaaf (2003) wrote of her designs:
“She is credited with being the innovator of a popular abstract hummingbird design.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 160 [1]
According to Schaaf (2003, p. 160), she learned sandcasting from the master Horace Iule and loved animal and bird designs. [1]
From the Library: Bassman and Bassman, Zuni Jewelry (2006)
2006 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2006, not today.
Bassman and Bassman (2006) pictured a matching set by her:
“Turquoise channel inlay made by Annie Quam Gasper in 1991.”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 6 [2]
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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.