Oliver Cellicion — Zuni Silversmith
Oliver Cellicion (1913–1996) was a Zuni silversmith active since the 1940s, specializing in mosaic inlay. He shared his stamps with his wife Angela Cellicion. He was the brother of Dexter Cellicion and Roger Cellicion, two other documented Zuni silversmiths from the same family.
Mosaic inlay is a signature Zuni technique in which precisely cut turquoise, shell, jet, and coral are set in close patterns to create richly colored geometric or figural designs, often with no visible silver between stones.
The Mark
“O JC &AC (side-by-side or stacked); O AC; OC III” — shared with Angela Cellicion
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003), entering him as Oliver J. Cellicion, recorded the marks he used:
“signed OJC, OJC & AC”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 108 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 108) recorded him as Zuni, active from 1942 in mosaic, inlay and stampwork, the husband of Angela Cellicion and father of Barbara Poocha, and the hallmark index lists OJC under his name alone. [1]
From the Library: Bassman and Bassman, Zuni Jewelry (2006)
2006 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2006, not today.
Motif names follow the captions in Bassman and Bassman (2006), an outside observers' record; the Zuni people are the authority on the meaning of their own sacred figures.
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 37) pictured an inlay Rainbow God bola tie with matching tips, in turquoise, coral, jet, abalone and mother-of-pearl, made in 1980 by Angela and Oliver Cellicion. [2]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 59) pictured a raised inlay butterfly pendant made in 1991 by Angela and Oliver Cellicion. [2]
Sources
- 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.
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.
Brother: Roger Cellicion (Zuni) · Wife of Oliver: Angela Cellicion
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come. © Turquoise Skies Inc.