Butterfly Maiden Pin by Rolanda Haloo, Zuni

Butterfly Maiden Pin by Rolanda Haloo, ZuniInlays of turquoise, malachite, shell inlay, sterling silver1.5” high x 2.5” wide  Rolanda Haloo was born in 1956 in Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico.  She learned the basics of jewelry-making from her father, Jacob Haloo, who also taught her cousin, Dennis Edaakie, one of the most renowned Zuni artists.  At age 14, Rolanda attended St. John’s Indian School in Phoenix, Arizona where she gained independence by being away from the familiar surroundings of home.  She began to experiment with jewelry-making in school using copper and other inexpensive materials, until she was encouraged to branch out by her teacher, who recognized Haloo’s natural talent. Rolanda focused her artwork mostly on bird inlay and other traditional jewelry designs she learned from her father and her siblings, but she is best known today for her Dragonfly Maidens.  In keeping with the family tradition, Rolanda Haloo went on to teach her son, Colin Coonsis, the art of jewelry-making