About the Artist

A Zuni jeweler who sometimes collaborated with Leekya Deyse, Lee Edaakie, Teddie Weahkee and Leo Poblano, Dan Simplicio was most active creating metal art between the 1920's through the late 1950's. Simplicio utilized gold as early as 1931, which may make him one of the first Zuni jewelers to work in gold.

He produced both fabricated and sandcast jewelry. Dan employed setting techniques to include nuggets, cluster formats, mosaic work and channel inlay. His uncle, Juan Dideos is acknowledged as Dan's main instructor.

His work is cited in every major publication chronicling 20th century Zuni jewelers. Dan's jewelry was included in the 2002 exhibition staged at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe "Jewels of the Southwest".