Ruddell Laconsello — Zuni Silversmith & Hallmark
Ruddell Laconsello (1959–) is a Zuni silversmith active since the late 1970s. He works in overlay with inlay and channel inlay, and is particularly noted for his many bird motifs.
He shares his stamps with his wife Nancy Laconsello, and some of their work is also marked for Relios, Inc. Ruddell Laconsello was an award winner at the 1991 Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial.
The Mark
“RN L; RL N; Ruddell & Nancy (script); RN Laconsello (sterling ZUNI)”
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 177.
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: Schiffer, Turquoise Jewelry (2008)
2008 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2008, not today.
Schiffer (2008, p. 51) illustrated a silver belt buckle with eagle inlay in turquoise, coral and tortoise shell by Rudell and Nancy Laconsello, Zuni, circa 1980s. [1]
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 pair of the couple’s earrings:
“A pair of earrings by Ruddell and Nancy Laconsello.”
— Schiffer (1996), p. 107 [2]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) recorded his marks:
“Ruddell Laconsello (stamped RL, RNL)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 210 [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 210) recorded Ruddell Laconsello as Zuni, active from 1976 in mosaic, inlaid and engraved jewelry, the husband of Nancy Laconsello, with a 2002 prize for mosaic pendants at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, and galleries including the Shush Yaz Trading Post in Santa Fe and Gallup. [3]
Schaaf (2003) wrote of the couple's etched mosaic birds:
“a style also practiced by Dennis Edaakie”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 210 [3]
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) pictured a ring the couple made in 1991:
“Etched inlay blue jay made of turquoise, jet, white clam shell, pink shell and malachite by Nancy and Ruddell Laconsello.”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 17 [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006) pictured a pin made in 1991 by Ruddell Laconsello and his wife Nancy:
“Inlay and etched inlay of a toucan made in 14-karat gold with spiny oyster shell, jet, penn shell and turquoise by Nancy and Ruddell Laconsello”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 28 [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 28) also pictured their 1991 inlay and etched inlay pin of a cardinal with a flower, in turquoise, coral, jet, sugilite and mother-of-pearl. [4]
and a third 1991 pin by the couple (Bassman and Bassman 2006):
“Inlay pin in shape of a pot with bird, deer and flowers made of turquoise, coral and jet in 1991 by Nancy and Ruddell Laconsello”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 31 [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006) pictured the couple's prize-winning concha belt:
“Etched inlay concha belt, made in 1991, consisting of ten different bird conchas made of turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl, black lip oyster shell, pink shell, abalone and gold lip mother-of-pearl by Nancy and Ruddell Laconsello which was the First Prize winner.”
— Bassman and Bassman (2006), p. 54 [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 54) recorded that their etched inlay squash blossom necklace and matching earrings, with a different bird on each piece, also won First Prize and Best in Category for Inlay and Channel Inlay, in pieces shown courtesy of the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. [4]
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 55) pictured two inlay bracelets with a cardinal made by Nancy and Ruddell Laconsello in 1991. [4]
Sources
- Schiffer, Nancy N. Turquoise Jewelry. Revised 4th ed. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2008. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2008.
- 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.
- 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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come. © Turquoise Skies Inc.