Leo Coriz — Kewa Silversmith
Overview
(Santiago) Leo Coriz (1913 or 1914–1997; Kewa Pueblo) was one of the foundational figures in Kewa silversmithing, active from the 1930s through the mid-1990s. He worked in cast work, silver, brass, hand-wrought jewelry, overlay, nugget work, and coral. He studied at the Santa Fe Indian School under Ambrose Roanhorse in 1931–1932 — placing him in the landmark cohort of early SFIS-trained silversmiths who went on to define 20th-century Pueblo and Navajo silversmithing traditions.
He is the father of Mary C. Lovato (born 1936; Kewa), and grandfather of Anthony and Harold Lovato — both of whom are documented silversmiths in their own right. His lineage connects directly to the broader Kewa Lovato family. The Hougart p. 95 is well-sourced with court references (Batkin, 2008 cited twice).
His marks are LEO CORIZ and a cursive-form variant documented in Hougart.
The Mark
"(Santiago) Leo Coriz (1913 or 1914–1997; Kewa). Active since 1930s. Cast work; silver, brass; hand wrought jewelry; overlay; nugget work; coral. Father of Mary C. Lovato. Grandfather of Anthony and Harold Lovato. Studied at the Santa Fe Indian School with Ambrose Roanhorse 1931–1932. Multiple award winner. Marks: LEO CORIZ; [cursive variant]"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 95.
Primary marks: LEO CORIZ (stamped text); also a cursive/script variant documented in Hougart at the same entry.
Family Links
- Father of Mary C. Lovato (1936–; Kewa) — see Lovato family entries
- Grandfather of Anthony Lovato and Harold Lovato (both Kewa silversmiths)
- Studied under Ambrose Roanhorse (SFIS, 1931–1932) — see Ambrose Roanhorse
- Part of the Kewa/Coriz family silversmithing lineage; related entries include Kevin Coriz (KR Z mark), Lorenzo Coriz (father of Aaron), Matthew Coriz (MATT C.), and Rodney Coriz
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022. p. 95.
- Batkin (2008) — cited twice in Hougart for this entry.
- 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 Leo Coriz or the Kewa Coriz silversmithing family? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
2007 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2007, not today.
According to Bahti (2007, p. 101), Santiago Leo Coriz worked stone, shell and silver; he learned sand-casting from his childhood friend, the Hopi silversmith Jimmie Kootswatewa, the two boys working it out together from carved tuff that Jimmie's silversmith uncle had buried behind his house. Bahti adds that Leo was famous for his sand-cast work, a tradition carried on in his family. [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) summed up his standing at Santo Domingo:
“He was a master silversmith. He helped preserve silver jewelry making traditions in his pueblo.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 122 [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 122) recorded that Leo Coriz served in the U.S. Navy and that his request to be allowed to wear his hair long was approved by President John F. Kennedy; he won first prizes at Indian Market in 1974, 1976 and 1978, was shown in the 1995 exhibition Our Art, Our Voices at the Stanford University Museum of Art, and taught Sedelio Fidel Lovato. [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 225) named Leo Coriz, with Sedelio Lovato, Skip Holbrook and Allan Houser, as a teacher of his grandson Anthony Lovato. [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 274) named Santiago Leo Coriz as the uncle and teacher of the Santo Domingo heishi maker Raymond Rosetta. [2]
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.