Vincent and Socorro Johnson — Zuni Silversmiths
Vincent and Socorro Johnson are a Zuni husband and wife who have worked together in petitpoint since 1961, under one signature. Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I lists both as Zuni, active from 1961 in petitpoint jewelry, signing V.S. Johnson, and gives their forms as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants, pins, rings and squash blossom necklaces; it also records Socorro as Cora Johnson (Schaaf 2003, p. 197). Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists Vincent as active since the 1960s in petit point, sharing the stamp with his wife (Hougart 2022, p. 162).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry shows their petit point turquoise watchband from the 1970s and coral and turquoise rings from the 1980s, credited "by Socorro and Vincent Johnson" (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 43), and counts them among the makers of a group of coral and pink coral pendants from 1991 (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 59). Sheila Tryk's Santa Fe Indian Market shows a selection of petitpoint jewelry by Vincent Johnson, Zuni (Tryk 1993, p. 56).
Their hallmark
Hougart gives the shared mark as V. S. JOHNSON (Hougart 2022, p. 162); Schaaf records that both signed V.S. Johnson (Schaaf 2003, p. 197).
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References
- 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.
- 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.
- Tryk, Sheila. Santa Fe Indian Market: Showcase of Native American Art. Photography by Mark Nohl; introduction by Allan Houser. Santa Fe, NM: Tierra Publications, in cooperation with SWAIA, 1993.
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.