Dan Simplicio, Zuni Pueblo Artist

Zuni Pueblo artist Dan Simplicio was a major Zuni Pueblo jeweler. The collections that contain some of his jewelry creations are too numerous to list as are the publications featuring him and his work. There were several of his pieces in the C. G. Wallace collection that was sold by Sotheby's in 1975. Dan Simplicio was active from around the 1920s to the 1950s.

Dan Simplicio (1917-1969) learned jewelry making from his uncle, Juan Dideros, a master smith. Dan passed on the knowledge by teaching his brothers, Kirk and Chauncey. As early as 1931, he was working in gold, sometimes mixing gold and silver in a single piece. He sometimes collaborated with Lekya Deyuse, Lee Edaakie, Teddy Weahkee, and Leo Poblano.

It is our understanding that he did not sign several of his pieces, particularly the early ones.

Reference:  American Indian Jewelry III: M-Z 2,100 Artist Biographies by Gregory and Angie Yan Schaaf.

TAGS: Zuni Pueblo, Southwest Indian Jewelry, Lekya Deyuse, Teddy Weahkee, Leo Poblano