Effie Calavaza, Zuni Snake cast bolo tie

Effie Calavaza

1928-

Zuni Pueblo

Medium Specific

Sterling Silver, Turquoise

Classification

Jewelry

Dimensions

2 3/4 x 2 x 1/2 in. (7 x 5.1 x 1.3 cm)

Accession Number

2017.35.45.47

Credit

Gift of Masuoka Family

Memo / Artist Statement

Collaborated with Juan Calavaza. Signed Juan C., Zuni, ca.1955-70 until Juan's death in 1970 then began signing Effie C., Zuni. Nugget, stampwork, sandcast jewelry.
Wife of Juan Calavaza, mother of Susie Calavaza, Gloria Jean Garcia, Georgiana Yatsatti, four other children. Taught by her husband.
(Schaaf 2003:102)

Biography

Effie specializes in sandcasting silver and incorporates large stones. Her snake designs are known as her signature style. She began making jewelry in the mid-1950s after learning jewelry making from her husband, Juan Calavaza. Her daughters, Georgiana Yatsattie, Gloria Jean Garcia, and Susie Calavaza, are all jewelers as well. She also has four other children. Effie won an award at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico. Effie also went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States of America to obtain full copyright of her art work to stop those from importing fake pieces of her work. Despite rumors, Effie is still making jewelry today and her work is collected throughout the world.
(https://www.medicinemangallery.com/effie-calavaza-biography, May 2020)

Inscription

Effie C., Zuni