Joseph Calabaza — Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo) Silversmith
Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo) silversmith. Profiled in Mark Bahti’s Silver + Stone (2007).
Joseph Calabaza, a Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo heishi maker, was profiled with his wife, Mary Calabaza, in Mark Bahti's Silver + Stone (2007).
The Mark
No hallmark is recorded for this artist in our sources yet. If you have a signed piece, we would love to see the mark.
From the Library: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
A 2007 profile, reviewed and corrected by the artists themselves before publication. Anything described as current describes 2006-2007, not today.
According to Bahti (2007, p. 30), Joseph Calabaza (born 1946) was the only child of Patricio (Pat) and Caroline Calabaza, and he and Mary both came from families with long histories of working in shell and stone. [1]
Joseph Calabaza told Bahti (2007) that he learned by helping his father:
“He used to make a little heavier pieces; I went into finer,”
— Bahti (2007), p. 30 [1]
He added, to Bahti (2007):
“I started when I was about sixteen”
— Bahti (2007), p. 30 [1]
Of his wife, Mary, Joseph told Bahti (2007):
“She encouraged me to do finer work. So we both started on the finer together.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 30 [1]
Family in the directory: Mary Calabaza
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) gives his name as Joseph Francis Calabaza; the entry reads
“Joseph Francis Calabaza, (Joe Calabaza), (collaborated with Mary Ann Calabaza)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 101 [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 101) recorded him as active from before 1977 in traditional jewelry, rolled heishi necklaces and joclas, with a Best of Division and first, second and third prizes at the 1977 Indian Market and a Best of Division at the 2002 Heard Museum Show. [2]
Sources
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- 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.
Know more about Joseph? Contact T.Skies.
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and is compiled from published sources, cited above. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.