Rosita Wallace — Zuni Silversmith
Rosita Wallace's channel inlay turns on butterflies and flowers. Peter N. Schiffer's Indian Jewelry on the Market shows "A Zuni necklace set by Rosita Wallace, 1972, with butterfly channel inlay" (Schiffer 1996, p. 134). Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists her as Zuni, active since the 1950s, "Specializing in butterfly and flower inlay designs" (Hougart 2022, p. 331).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry shows an inlay flower bracelet of tortoise shell and turquoise from the 1960s (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 20), and a ring of tortoise shell and turquoise (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 17).
Her hallmark
Hougart gives her marks as "R. A. W.; R. A. WALLACE (stamped or etched script); A. ROSITA-WALLACE", marks shared with Anselm Wallace (Hougart 2022, p. 331). The same page lists Regina Wallace, whose mark is "R. W."; the A is the difference.
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References
- Schiffer, Peter N. Indian Jewelry on the Market. Text and photography by Peter N. Schiffer. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1996.
- 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.
- 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 (2003, p. 320) recorded Rosita Wallace as Zuni, active from 1955 in channel inlay jewelry, the wife of and collaborator with Anselm Wallace, signing A. ROSITA-WALLACE, RAW, R.A.WALLACE or R.A.WA., with Knifewing, Rainbow Man, Thunderbirds, butterflies and flowers among her favorite designs. [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 319) gave Anselm Wallace his own entry: Zuni, active from 1955 to at least 1991 in channel inlay jewelry, the husband of and collaborator with Rosita Wallace, using the same A. ROSITA-WALLACE, RAW and R.A.WALLACE signatures. [4]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives RAW to the couple:
“RAW (Rosita & Anselm Wallace)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 317 [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, p. 51) also pictured inlay pin-pendants of turquoise, coral, jet and mother-of-pearl by Rosita Wallace, one from the 1970s and one, with a matching ring, from the 1980s. [3]
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.