Charlotte Dishta — Zuni Silversmith
Charlotte Dishta is a Zuni mosaic inlay jeweler known for rug patterns. Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I lists Charlotte Dishta as Zuni, active from about the 1980s in mosaic inlay jewelry, making bracelets, buckles and rings in turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl and green snail shell, with geometric and rug designs among the favorite designs, and sometimes working with Pat Leekity (Schaaf 2003, p. 140). Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists Charlotte Dishta as Zuni, active since the 1980s in avian and mosaic inlay and rug patterns (Hougart 2022, p. 107).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry pictures an inlay belt buckle in a rug pattern, of turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl and green snail shell, by Charlotte Dishta and Pat Leekity, among buckles made in 1991 (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 46).
Hallmark
Schaaf records the signature Dishta Zuni (Schaaf 2003, p. 140); Hougart gives C. DISHTA ZUNI (Hougart 2022, p. 107).
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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.