Rolanda Haloo (formerly Rolanda Coonsis) — Zuni Silversmith
Rolanda Haloo, formerly Rolanda Coonsis, is an "Award-winning maker of overlay with inlay," in the words of Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, which lists her as Zuni, born in 1956, and notes her flush inlay and her work in jadeite (Hougart 2022, p. 133).
Under the name Rolanda Coonsis, her inlay runs through Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry. It includes an etched inlay owl among a collection of rings made in 1991, pins of a blue bird with a flower, an inlay and etched inlay eagle bola tie with matching tips, and a concha belt of twelve conchas, "each depicting a different bird" (Bassman and Bassman 2006, pp. 15, 28, 34, 55).
She has also made work in collaboration. With Harlan Coonsis she made an inlay Zuni necklace or pin (Schiffer 1996, p. 108), a raised-inlay bracelet with coral in the shape of corn in the 1980s (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 31), and an etched inlay eagle belt buckle in 1991 (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 46). Hougart also records collaboration with Colin Coonsis and with Nathan Boone, and "Some fish scale inlay with the HRC stamp" (Hougart 2022, p. 133).
Her hallmark
Hougart gives her marks as "H R C or H. R. COONSIS", used with Harlan Coonsis, along with "R H ZUNI" and a mark shared with Nathan Boone (Hougart 2022, p. 133). Harlan Coonsis's own entry dates the H R C ZUNI mark, made with her, to the 1970s (Hougart 2022, p. 94).
Own a piece with this mark, or know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Revised and expanded 3rd edition. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2006.
- Schiffer, Peter N. Indian Jewelry on the Market. Text and photography by Peter N. Schiffer. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 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.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives the initials HRC to the couple:
“HRC (Harlan & Rolanda Coonsis)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 99 [4]
In Harlan Coonsis's entry, Schaaf (2003, p. 121) recorded that he had collaborated with Rolanda Coonsis and later worked with Monica Coonsis, and named him as the former husband of Rolanda Haloo. [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 170) recorded that she formerly stamped H.R. COONSIS ZUNI and H.R.C. ZUNI, and described her hallmark as a six-pointed star, trefoil and small circle. [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 170) recorded Rolanda Haloo as Zuni, born in 1956 and active from 1970 in engraved mosaic and carved solid inlay, a daughter of Jake Haloo and Lola Pinto Haloo, who learned by watching her mother and her sister Lolita Natachu, and won Best of Show at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup in 1977. [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 170) also listed her education at St. John's Indian School in Scottsdale and her showing at Indian Market in Santa Fe from 1992. [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 209) named Rolanda Haloo as a sister of Nancy Laconsello (formerly Nancy Haloo) and of Jake Livingston, all children of Jake Haloo. [4]
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) also pictured a 1991 ring credited to her under her earlier name:
“Inlay Knife Wing Dancer made of turquoise, spiny oyster shell, jet and mother-of-pearl by Rolanda Coonsis.”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 15 [2]
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.