Don Dewa — Zuni Jeweler
Don Dewa works in inlay, and the sun-face motif runs through his pieces. Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry shows an inlay sun-face motif of mother-of-pearl, turquoise, coral and jet (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 15), and an inlay and raised-inlay bracelet of a sun-face motif "that is movable," made in 1991 (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 34).
Peter N. Schiffer's Indian Jewelry on the Market shows a "Zuni stone inlay antelope bolo tie slide by Don Dewa" (Schiffer 1996, p. 137).
Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as Zuni, active since the 1970s, working in channel and mosaic inlay, cluster work, and swivel or spinner jewelry, and notes that he "Specializes in jewelry featuring sun-face motifs" (Hougart 2022, p. 106).
His hallmark
Hougart gives his marks as "DON DEWA ZUNI NM; DON C. DEWA; DON DEWA CUSTOM MADE JEWELRY (and a sun face symbol)", along with marks shared with Velma E. Dewa: "D & V ZUNI; D. & V. DEWA; D & V DEWA ZUNI" (Hougart 2022, p. 106).
Own a piece with this mark, or know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
References
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Revised and expanded 3rd edition. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2006.
- Schiffer, Peter N. Indian Jewelry on the Market. Text and photography by Peter N. Schiffer. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1996.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. 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.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) dated the stamp he shared with Velma E. Dewa:
“stamped D. & V. DEWA, ZUNI (1974-)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 135 [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 135) dated the D & V ZUNI stamp from 1982, recorded six years with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and listed a third prize for mosaic bolos and buckles at the 2002 Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup. [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 136) added eagles, hummingbirds and people's names made to custom order to his Sunface designs, and listed Shush Yaz Trading Post, Cameron Trading Post and Richardson Trading Co. among his galleries. [4]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives the couple their own initials:
“D & V (Don & Velma Dewa)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 128 [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 148) recorded Velma E. Dewa as a daughter of the Zuni cluster jewelers Sefferino and Loretta Eriacho and a sister of Don Eriacho, a Zuni mosaic and inlay jeweler. [4]
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 ring by the couple:
“Raised inlay Antelope Kachina made of turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl, melon shell and serpentine in the 1970s by Velma and Don Dewa.”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 14 [1]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 37) pictured an inlay and raised inlay bola tie of a mountain sheep made in the 1970s by Velma and Don Dewa, in turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl, black lip oyster shell, melon shell and serpentine. [1]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 59) pictured a raised inlay eagle pendant of turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl and gold lip mother-of-pearl made in 1991 by Don C. Dewa. [1]
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.