Esther and Herbert Cellicion — Zuni Silversmiths
Esther and Herbert Cellicion are a Zuni couple who make mosaic and raised inlay jewelry together. Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists Esther Cellicion and Herbert Cellicion as Zuni, working in mosaic inlay and sharing their stamps (Hougart 2022, p. 80). Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I lists both as Zuni, active from before 1990 in mosaic and raised inlay in silver with coral, turquoise, jet, mother-of-pearl and pink shell, with butterflies among their favorite designs (Schaaf 2003, p. 108).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry pictures an inlay butterfly ring of spiny oyster shell, mother-of-pearl and jet by Esther and Herbert Cellicion, among rings made in 1991 (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 15).
Their hallmark
Hougart gives H E CELLICION and H & E Cellicion Zuni in etched script (Hougart 2022, p. 80); Schaaf records the stamp H.E. Cellicion (Schaaf 2003, p. 108).
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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.