Don Dewa — Zuni Silversmith
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.
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.