Edison Bobelu — Zuni Silversmith
Edison Bobelu is a Zuni channel inlay jeweler known for fish-scale work. Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as Zuni, active since the 1980s in channel inlay and fish scale (Hougart 2022, p. 67). Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I lists him as Zuni, active from the 1980s in channel inlay jewelry, with fish scale and abstract designs among his favorites (Schaaf 2003, p. 91).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry pictures channel inlay pieces of pink shell and of turquoise by Lorenda and Edison Bobelu (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 25), and a mosaic inlay belt buckle of turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl and gold lip mother-of-pearl by the pair, among buckles made in 1991 (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 46).
His hallmark
Hougart gives the mark E L B, shared with his wife (Hougart 2022, p. 67).
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References
- 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.
- 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.