Vivian Haloo — Zuni Silversmith
Vivian Haloo (1945–; Zuni) shares her silversmithing stamp with her husband Peter Haloo. She is the mother of Sam Haloo, Steven Haloo, and April Haloo. Peter Haloo (1940–; Zuni), her husband, is active since the 1960s and is known for rings with stone row sets and snake eye work. Together they represent one of the multi-generational Haloo silversmithing families that define the Zuni inlay and stone-setting tradition.
Their daughter April Haloo (Zuni) is active and uses snake eye sets with various stones; she is the daughter of Peter and Vivian Haloo and sister of Sam Haloo. Their son Sam Haloo (Zuni) works in snake eye jewelry. For a related Haloo family member, see also Nancy Haloo.
Attribution caution: Multiple Haloo family members share or have shared related stamps. When a P. & V. HALOO ZUNI or Peter & Vivian Haloo etched script mark appears on a piece, it documents collaborative production between Peter and Vivian Haloo specifically — not other Haloo family members.
"Vivian Haloo (1945-; Zuni). Vivian Haloo shares the stamp with her husband Peter Haloo. Mother of Sam, Steven and April Haloo. Marks: P & V. HALOO ZUNI; Peter & Vivian Haloo (etched script)" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The marks are P & V. HALOO ZUNI (a joint stamp using both initials and the family name with tribal attribution) and Peter & Vivian Haloo (etched script) — both shared stamps documenting collaborative production.
Know more about Vivian Haloo or the Haloo family Zuni silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered her husband as
“Peter Haloo, III (Pete), (collaborates with Vivian Haloo)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 170 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 170) recorded Vivian Haloo as Zuni, born in 1945, working with her husband Peter Haloo III in "Snake Eye" jewelry from about 1965, the mother of six children, making bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants, pins, rings and watch tips. [1]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice a small gap in Peter Haloo's birth year. This page gives 1940, while Schaaf's 2003 entry for him gives about 1945. I show both as printed.
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.
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.