Zuni artist Don Dewa has been actively making his spectacular inlay jewelry since the 1970s.
He has used several hallmarks:
DON C DEWA
DON DEWA ZUNI NM
DON DEWA CUSTOM MADE JEWELRY ZUNI NM STERLING with a sunface (see example below)
When he he collaborates with his wife, Velma E. Dewa, they sign D & V DEWA
He is noted for his beautiful inlay and most notably his spinner bracelets. A spinner, in this case, is a rotating sunface that has different inlay on each side. See the photos.
Don Dewa spinner pendant
Don Dewa spinner bracelet
Click to see a spinner bracelet by Don Dewa
From American Indian Jewelry by Gregory Schaaf
Paula
I really love the inlay and unique spinner concept of Don Dewa’s work. However, I find that the first thing I always do with anything on a piece of jewelry that is reversible is to check and see the “other” side. They always seem to have one side that’s more elaborate or thought-out, and one that’s less so. Why is that? Even so, I wouldn’t turn away any of Don’s work!
I’ve found that one side of any inlay pendant, for example, will be ornate and elaborate such as a mesa night scene, and the other side will be plainer, maybe just cobblestone inlay of one stone, turquoise. For different tastes, moods, outfits. A good thing !