C. G. Wallace
1898 Ellerbe Springs, North Carolina - 1993 Albuquerque, New Mexico
In 1918, Wallace arrived in Gallup, New Mexico and in 1919 he was hired by Louis Ilfeld at the Ilfeld Company to work at their trading post in Zuni, NM. After acquiring his trading license at Zuni Pueblo, Wallace set out to transform the lives of the Zuni people - 1,600 Zunis at the time - by encouraging them to produce high-quality silver jewelry with stone inlay for the tourist trade.
Over time, Wallace became proficient in both the Zuni and Navajo languages, and spoke some Spanish as well.
After working for the Ilfeld Company for a few years, Wallace purchased the Zuni trading post outright. Wallace introduced new jewelry equipment and encouraged the incorporation of turquoise inlay in silverwork. He obtained great quantities of fine turquoise from the Southwestern turquoise and copper mines, providing Zuni artists with an abundance of turquoise to place in their jewelry, through channel inlay, mosaic inlay, petit point and needlepoint techniques.
Wallace promoted the use of traditional motifs as well, bringing over 600 examples of old pottery and other artifacts to Zuni artists as sources for inspiration. In 1975, Wallace, at the age of 76, recognized the need to have his collection relocated so that it might be appreciated by future generations. Around five hundred pieces went to the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. The remaining majority of his collection was sold at auction in November of 1975 through Sotheby's, at the Adams Hotel in Phoenix.
C.G. Wallace owned the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque.
C. G. Wallace passed away in 1993.
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