Connie Tsosie Gaussoin — Picuris/Navajo Silversmith
Connie Tsosie Gaussoin works in fabricated and tufa-cast jewelry. Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists her as "Connie Tsosie Gaussoin (1948-; Picuris/Navajo)," active since the 1970s, in silver, gold and mixed metals, and records that she is a "Multiple award winner for jewelry, including the Joe H. Quintana Memorial Award for Excellence in Traditional Jewelry." She works with her sons, David Gaussoin and Wayne Nez Gaussoin (Hougart 2022, p. 127).
Nancy N. Schiffer's Turquoise Jewelry shows a tufa-cast sterling silver bracelet of hers, with turquoise in a 14 carat gold bezel and coral beads, crediting her as "Picuris Pueblo and Navajo" (Schiffer 2008, p. 33). Paula A. Baxter's Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry lists her among contemporary Pueblo artists as "Connie Tsosie Gaussoin (Picuris/Navajo) and her sons David and Wayne Nez" (Baxter 2000, p. 143).
Her hallmark
Hougart gives her marks as a deer head, with NAV below it or with C T G, and C T G (Hougart 2022, p. 127).
Own a piece with this mark, or know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Schiffer, Nancy N. Turquoise Jewelry. Revised 4th edition. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2008.
- Baxter, Paula A., with Allison Bird-Romero. Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry: A Guide to History, People, and Terms. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 2000.
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.