Lorraine Quam Waatsa — Zuni Silversmith
Zuni silversmith. Profiled in Mark Bahti’s Silver + Stone (2007).
Lorraine Quam Waatsa, a Zuni jeweler, was profiled with her husband, Duwayne Waatsa, in Mark Bahti's Silver + Stone (2007).
The Mark
Recorded mark: LW (other makers have also used an LW mark) (Schaaf (2003), p. 317).
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.
Speaking to Bahti (2007), Lorraine Quam Waatsa recalled:
“My teacher was my grandfather, and then my mom and dad.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 194 [1]
As Lorraine Quam Waatsa told Bahti (2007):
“I do new designs in my head first, then I make the bezels for them and put them together on the silver base plate the way I see it in my head, and eventually it comes out to what I want.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 194 [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 194), Lorraine (born 1954) began making jewelry at eighteen, starting with small cluster pendants; her mother, Alice Ondelacy Quam, working with Duane Quam, had been known for cluster work for more than half a century, and her grandparents Warren and Doris Ondelacy for cluster work as far back as 1930. [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 194), in joint pieces she did the stonework, and on her own she made smaller pieces such as earrings and pendants; she found Sleeping Beauty turquoise the easiest to work, while Morenci and spiderweb turquoise can be brittle. [1]
Family in the directory: Duwayne Waatsa · Bryant Waatsa Sr.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 317) recorded Lorraine Waatsa as a Zuni cluster jeweler, the daughter of Alice Quam and Duane Quam, taught by her mother, Alice Quam. [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 317) listed her prizes at the 2002 Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup: first prizes for cluster matched sets and cluster necklaces, and second prizes for cluster bracelets, rings and pendants. [3]
From the Library: Bassman and Bassman, Zuni Jewelry (2006)
2006 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2006, not today.
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 6) pictured two coral cluster pin/pendants made in 1998 by Lorraine and Luwayne Waatsa. Also printed as Duwayne (Bahti 2007). [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006) pictured a bola tie by her:
“Cluster made of coral with matching tips in 1991 by Lorraine Waatsa.”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 33 [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 33) also pictured a 1980s cluster bola tie of Chinese spider web turquoise with matching tips, credited to Lorraine and Luwayne Waatsa. [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 42) pictured a coral cluster and petit point choker made in 1991 by Lorraine and Luwayne Waatsa, a Third Prize winner. [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 64) pictured two cluster link bracelets made in 1998 by Lorraine and Luwayne Waatsa, one of Chinese turquoise and one of coral, and (p. 59) named the couple among the makers of 1991 coral pendants of needlepoint, petit point, cluster and snake eyes. [4]
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. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies. Santa Fe: CIAC Press, 2003. Cited for the recorded hallmark.
- 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.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Revised and Expanded 3rd Edition. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2006 (first published 1992). Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2006.
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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.