Lolita Natachu — Zuni Inlay Artist
Overview
Lolita Natachu (Zuni Pueblo) has been active since the 1970s, working in mosaic and channel inlay with sun face and thunderbird designs, and rainbow man imagery — hallmarks of the Zuni inlay tradition. She shares stamps with her husband Fred Natachu. She is the sister of Rolanda Haloo (1956–; Zuni), one of the most recognized contemporary Zuni overlay silversmiths, and is part of the extended Haloo–Natachu Zuni family.
Hougart documents her within the Natachu family cluster (p. 221). Her marks are shared with Fred Natachu, consistent with the Zuni co-marking tradition.
The Mark
"Lolita Natachu (Zuni). Active since 1970s. Mosaic and channel inlay; sun face and thunderbird designs; rainbow man. Lolita Natachu shares stamps with her husband Fred Natachu. Sister of Rolanda Haloo. Marks: F. L. NATACHU; L N (sometimes offset); F. L; F L N"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 221.
Shared marks with Fred Natachu: F. L. NATACHU; L N (sometimes offset); F. L; F L N. The co-marking convention means some pieces may be identifiable as Lolita's individual work by context (technique, design) rather than mark alone.
Family Links
- Wife of Fred Natachu (Zuni; sun face designs, rainbow man) — mark shared
- Sister of Rolanda Haloo (1956–; Zuni) — see Rolanda Haloo
- Sister of Nancy Haloo and Dolly Haloo — see Nancy Haloo, Dolly Haloo
- Part of the Natachu family: Betty Natachu (inlay, Gillerimo Natachu's wife), Gillerimo Natachu (?–2003; mark shared with Betty), Troy Natachu (channel inlay), and others
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022. p. 221.
- 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 Lolita Natachu or the Zuni Natachu–Haloo silversmithing family? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 170) named Lolita Natachu as a daughter and student of the Zuni mosaic and inlay jeweler Jacob Haloo, Sr., and recorded that her sister Rolanda Haloo learned by watching their mother and Lolita. [1]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives FL to:
“FL (Frank L. Natachu, Fred & Lolita Natachu)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 209 [1]
Schaaf (2003) entered her as
“Lolita Natachu (Lolita Haloo)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 242 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 242) recorded Lolita Natachu as Zuni, a daughter of Jake Haloo and Lola Pinto Haloo, a sister of Dolly Banteah, Rolanda Haloo, Nancy Laconsello and Jake Livingston, and the wife of Fred Natachu, working in mosaic, channel inlay and stampwork jewelry. [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.