Gerlinda Quam — Zuni Silversmith
Gerlinda Quam is a Zuni silversmith active since the 1970s. The Hougart record documents her work in inlay and figural chief-head designs — representational subjects within the Zuni silversmithing tradition that draw on ceremonial and cultural imagery.
Inlay work involves setting precisely cut stones into recessed silver channels to form images or patterns, a technique central to the Zuni artistic tradition. Gerlinda Quam's focus on chief-head figural motifs places her work within a subcategory of Zuni silversmithing notable for its pictorial subjects.
The Mark
“G. QUAM”
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark reads G. QUAM, combining an initial with the family surname.
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- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered her as
“Gerlinda Quam (stamps G. Quam)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 264 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 264) recorded Gerlinda Quam as Zuni, active from before 1975 in carved, raised, mosaic and channel inlay jewelry of silver, turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl, cowry shell and ivory, with the Plains Indian chief among her favorite designs. [1]
Sources
- 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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Name card shown; hallmark photo to come. © Turquoise Skies Inc.