Fritz Casuse — Silversmith
Overview
Fritz Casuse (born 1968) is a Navajo sculptor and silversmith making modern jewelry: tufa casting, stamp work, fabricated pieces in silver and gold, with pearls and precious gems. He is the husband of Wanesia Misquadace, and the entry records a 2017 artist-in-residence appointment ("Institute of American Indian…"). His mark is "Fritz J Casuse" in script.
Our reference library lists several Hopi makers named Casuse — including Cordelia Casuse — as separate entries; no family relation to Fritz is stated there.
The Mark
"Fritz Casuse (1968-: Navajo). Sculptor and silversmith. Modern jewelry; tufa casting; stamp work; silver, gold; fabricat- ed; pearls; precious gems. Husband of Wanesia Misquadace. 2017 Anist-in-Residence at Institute of American Indian winner. Mark: Fritz J Casuse (script)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: Fritz J Casuse (script).
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.
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From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 105) recorded Fritz Casuse as Navajo, born at Gallup in 1968, a 1996 graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts, and named Lane Coulter, Preston Duwyenie and Nelson Tsosie as his teachers; as of 2003 he taught students in the Poeh Arts Program. [1]
Fritz Casuse told Schaaf (2003, p. 106) that after he graduated an aunt helped him buy an acetylene torch at a pawn shop and then took him to Thunderbird for tools and silver; with no bench or table he worked on the floor, and he bent his first piece, a bracelet, into shape on his brother's barbell. [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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.