Nelson Eustace — Cochiti Silversmith
Overview
Nelson Eustace (1956–deceased; Cochiti Pueblo) was active since the 1970s, working in carved turquoise and leaf applique — techniques characteristic of Cochiti silversmithing. He shared a stamp with his former wife, Charlotte Eustace (daughter of Leo Poblano), who is also a documented silversmith; their shared mark is N E and N C E. Charlotte Eustace later worked independently after their marriage ended. Nelson is the brother of Joseph Eustace (traditional style, concho belts) and Jolene A. Eustace (hand wrought, applique, 14k/18k accents; IACA award winner; mark JAE) — both children of Ben and Felicita Eustace.
His son Julius Eustace (1973–; Cochiti; active since 1980s) is also a documented silversmith working in nugget work and applique, with the mark J E.
The Mark
"Nelson Eustace (1956–deceased; Cochiti). Active since 1970s. Carved turquoise; leaf applique. Nelson Eustace shared a stamp with his former wife Charlotte Eustace. Brother of Joseph and Jolene Eustace. Father of Julius Eustace. Marks: N E; N C E"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Shared marks (with Charlotte Eustace): N E; N C E. The same marks appear in Charlotte Eustace's entry — attribution requires contextual analysis (dating, style, technique) when the former couple's pieces appear in the market without other provenance.
Family Links
- Former husband of Charlotte Eustace (daughter of Leo Poblano) — shared marks N E, N C E
- Brother of Jolene A. Eustace (Cochiti; mark JAE) and Joseph Eustace (Cochiti; mark J E)
- Son of Ben Eustace and Felicita Eustace — see Ben Eustace, Felicita Eustace
- Father of Julius Eustace (1973–; Cochiti; nugget work + applique; mark J E)
- Part of the extended Eustace Cochiti family — related: Eileen Eustace
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Schiffer, Peter N. Indian Jewelry on the Market. Text and photography by Peter N. Schiffer. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1996. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1996.
- 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 Nelson Eustace or the Cochiti Eustace silversmithing family? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schiffer, Indian Jewelry on the Market (1996)
1996 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1996, not today.
In 1996 Schiffer pictured a necklace set by Nelson Eustace:
“A Zuni necklace and earrings set with Ajax mine turquoise by Nelson Eustace.”
— Schiffer (1996), p. 43 [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 152) recorded Nelson Eustace as Zuni/Cochiti, born in 1956 and active from 1973 in nugget, carved stone and leaf jewelry, taught by his parents, Ben and Felicita Eustace, with a first prize at the New Mexico State Fair. [2]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives NE to the former couple:
“NE (Charlotte Eustace & Nelson Eustace)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 144 [2]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I want to note a difference in wording. This page records Nelson Eustace as Cochiti Pueblo, while Schiffer’s 1996 caption (p. 43) calls his necklace and earrings a Zuni set. The caption may be naming a style rather than his pueblo, so I have left both as they are.
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Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.
I notice a third way of naming his pueblo. This page records him as Cochiti and Schiffer's caption calls his set Zuni, while Schaaf's 2003 entry gives Zuni/Cochiti, the son of a Zuni father and a Cochiti mother. I have left all three as printed.