Wayne Cheama — Zuni Silversmith
Wayne Cheama is a Zuni jeweler working in turquoise and coral nugget work, taught by his mother, Angie Cheama. Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I lists him as Zuni, active from the 1960s in nugget jewelry, making bolos, bracelets, buckles, earrings, necklaces, pendants, pins, rings, squash blossom necklaces and watchbands (Schaaf 2003, p. 113). Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as Zuni, active since the 1960s in turquoise and coral nugget work (Hougart 2022, p. 86).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry pictures a turquoise belt buckle of his among buckles made in 1998 (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 64).
His hallmark
Schaaf records that he signs W. Cheama (Schaaf 2003, p. 113); Hougart gives W. CHEAMA (Hougart 2022, p. 86).
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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.
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.