Ellen Quandelacy
Hallmark documented in: Hougart (Hallmarks), Schaaf (1200 Bios), Hougart (100 Collectible), art-amerindien.com. Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Overview
Ellen Quandelacy (1924–2002) was a Zuni artist active from the 1940s until her death — mostly channel inlay, with stylized hummingbirds, symmetrical cactus or floral designs, and fetishes. She is the matriarch of the directory's Quandelacy entries.
She was the mother of Andres and Dickie Quandelacy and the sister of Annie Quam Gasper; neither Andres nor Annie has a directory page yet. Her first husband was Floyd Bobelu; her second, Dixie Quandelacy (1908–1979), made jewelry with her. Her documented mark is E. Q. ZUNI, which may be etched.
The Mark
"Ellen Quandelacy (1924-2002; Zuni). Active 1940s-2002. Mostly channel inlay; stylized hummingbirds; symmetrical cactus or florals; fetishes. Mother of Andres and Dickie Quandelacy. Sister of Annie Quam Gasper. Her first husband was Floyd Bobelu; Dixie Quandelacy (1908-1979) her second, with whom she made jewelry. Mark: E. Q. ZUNI (may be etched)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: E. Q. ZUNI (may be etched).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. 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.
- Tryk, Sheila. Santa Fe Indian Market: Showcase of Native American Art. Photography by Mark Nohl; introduction by Allan Houser. Santa Fe, NM: Tierra Publications, in cooperation with SWAIA (Southwestern Association on Indian Affairs), 1993. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1993.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 148) named Ellen Quam Quandelacy as a sister of Loretta Eriacho, a Zuni cluster jeweler active from about 1935, and of Bert Quam and Annie Quam Gasper, all children of Johnny Quam. [1]
Schaaf (2003) entered her as
“Ellen Quandelacy (Ellen Quam), (signed E.Q. ZUNI; small metal tag stamped QUANDELACY)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 266 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 266) recorded Ellen Quandelacy, who lived from about the 1920s to 2002, as Zuni, active from the 1940s in channel inlay jewelry, fetishes and fetish necklaces, a daughter and student of Johnny Quam, with a third prize for fetish necklaces at Indian Market in 1986. [1]
Schaaf (2003) wrote:
“Ellen is the matriarch of the Quandelacy family.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 266 [1]
Schaaf (2003) added:
“She is famous for fetishes, fetish necklaces and channel inlay jewelry.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 266 [1]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives EQ to two makers:
“EQ (Elsie Quam, Ellen Quandelacy)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 263 [1]
From the Library: Tryk, Santa Fe Indian Market (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Writing in 1993, Tryk named the Quandelacy family among Zuni's best-known fetish carvers:
“Some families, such as the Leekya or the Quandelacy family of Zuni, have established national reputations for their standing fetishes and fetish jewelry.”
— Tryk (1993), p. 204 [2]
A photograph caption in Tryk (1993, p. 196), showing an array of carved Zuni fetishes, credited an alabaster horse to Ellen Quandelacy. [2]
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.