Harlan Coonsis — Zuni Silversmith
Harlan Coonsis has worked in silver since 1974. Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as "Harlan Coonsis (1958-; Zuni)," describes "Early cluster work, then inlay; some spinners," and calls him a "Multiple award winner" (Hougart 2022, p. 94).
Much of his documented work was made with Rolanda Haloo, then Rolanda Coonsis: an inlay Zuni necklace or pin (Schiffer 1996, p. 108), a raised-inlay bracelet with coral in the shape of corn from the 1980s (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 31), and an etched inlay eagle belt buckle made in 1991 (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 46).
His hallmark
His marks change with the partner. Hougart lists "H R C ZUNI" and "H. R. COONSIS", used with Rolanda Haloo, and "H. M. COONSIS", used with Monica Coonsis (Hougart 2022, p. 94). Read the middle letter before attributing a piece.
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References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Schiffer, Peter N. Indian Jewelry on the Market. Text and photography by Peter N. Schiffer. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1996.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Revised and expanded 3rd edition. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2006.
- 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.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Beside the stamps H.R. COONSIS ZUNI, H.R.C. ZUNI and H.M. COONSIS, Schaaf (2003) recorded his hallmark symbols:
“hallmark - six-pointed star, trefoil, small circle”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 121 [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 121) recorded Harlan Coonsis as born in 1958 and active from 1975, taught by his parents, and listed first prize for mosaic matched sets and second for mosaic pendants at the 2002 Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, prizes also recorded for Monica Coonsis; his favorite designs were birds such as bald eagles, Canadian geese, mallard ducks and cardinals, with trees, leaves, cattails, clouds and ponds. [4]
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