Nita Yuselew — Zuni Silversmith

Biography by Mateo James

Documented sterling silver hallmark of Nita Yuselew, Zuni silversmith - Native American maker's mark

Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.

Nita Yuselew — Zuni Silversmith

Overview

Nita Yuselew (Zuni Pueblo) has been active since the 1960s, working mostly in petit point and needlepoint — two of the signature techniques of Zuni lapidary-intensive silversmithing. Her marks are **NY** (which may be set on a plate) and **N. Y.** She is part of the Yuselew Zuni family; the directory also holds Ryden Yuselew as a related family entry.

The broader Yuselew / Yuselen family at Zuni includes Gilbert Yuselen (active since 1970s; mark G. T. YUSELEN) and R. L. Yuselew (mark: R. L. Yuselew Zuni, script) — both documented in Hougart at approximately the same passage (lines 30870–30876).

The Mark

"Nita Yuselew (Zuni). Active since 1960s. Mostly petit point; needlepoint. Marks: NY (may be set on a plate); N. Y."
— Hougart, Bille. *Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks*, 5th ed. (2022).

Marks: **NY** (may be set on a plate); **N. Y.** Both forms appear in Hougart. The plate-set form is typical of Zuni petit point work where hallmarks appear on a small applied silver plate rather than stamped directly into the shank.

Family Links

  • Part of the Yuselew / Yuselen Zuni silversmithing family
  • Related: Ryden Yuselew (Zuni) — held in the directory; see family context
  • Related: Gilbert Yuselen (Zuni; mark G. T. YUSELEN; active since 1970s)
  • Related: R. L. Yuselew (Zuni; mark R. L. Yuselew Zuni, script)

References

  • Hougart, Bille. *Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks*, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022.

Know more about Nita Yuselew or the Zuni Yuselew silversmithing family? Contact T.Skies.

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.