Denise Wallace (Chugach/Sugpiaq, b. 1957) is a contemporary artist inspired by a timeless connection between her people and the northwest coast of North America. Thousands of years have passed since humans found a home in this region, yet the link between animals, plants and the environment continues, and the themes of Denise Wallace's jewelry are as rooted in history as they are inspirational for the future.

Denise first grabbed our attention in the 1980’s with jewelry built with unmatched skill, and designs that were uniquely synthesized from the beauty found in the history of her people. Equal to her skills as a designer and metalsmith, the lapidary art of Denise’s husband Samuel Wallace (1936 - 2010) found an outlet in these forms as well, and the two together created a body of work that has been appreciated as jewelry, art, and cultural iconography. Included in private and public collections around the world, “Denise Wallace” jewelry is worn, displayed, coveted and admired. Many awards, accolades and sold-out shows later, they have been featured artists in national television broadcasts, books, magazines and museum retrospectives.

The Long Ago & Far Away Gallery in Manchester, Vermont, has been representing the Wallaces since 1988, and our first solo show with them was in 1991. Since that period, much has changed - Denise and Samuel closed their studio in Santa Fe to relocate to Hawaii and their two children, Dawn and David, have grown into their own roles as award-winning artists. A great loss for all of us was the passing of Samuel in 2010.

This year, we are pleased to present for sale a selection of vintage Denise and Samuel Wallace Jewelry created over the last twenty years. Each piece is in pristine condition and is an artistic representation of a culture that has existed for millennia. As always, we appreciate your questions and comments.

Grant and Betsy Turner.

Manchester, Vermont

Title: Woman In the Moon Pin/Pendant

Description: Made in 1993. Many collectors of Denise Wallace jewelry will be familiar with earrings in this design that Denise made as part of her "Gallery" or "Fabri-cast" Line while working in Santa Fe. Those earrings have cast elements and are just under one inch tall. The pair of Ivory Face Earrings offered here are obviously similar in design but are slightly larger, which allows the details in the faces to be a bit more expressive. They were sold only at the dw Studio on Early Street and so are quite rare. Worn as clip-ons, these are stunning earrings that really stand out.

The story of the Male/Female masks is well-known; here it is again: From Denise: "Many people ask the reason for the facial expressions on the male and female faces. There seem to be many different stories behind this, but the one I am going to tell you comes from my friend Chuna McIntyre. This is a short version of the story:
"At one time there was a brother and a sister. The brother flew up to the sky and turned into the sun. His sister flew up crying, and turned into the moon. Hence, the reason for the upturned mouth on the male faces, and the down-turned mouth on the female faces.""

Materials: Sterling Silver, Fossil Walrus Ivory, Ink

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com

Pin/Pendant
Size: 2.5"X2.5"
Materials: Sterling Silver, 18KT Gold, Fossilized Walrus Ivory, Pietersite

From 2002. This is an exceptional statement as both jewelry and art, and is so powerful a figure it was used as the image for the cover of the book, “Arctic Transformations: The Jewelry of Denise And Samuel Wallace” by Lois Sherr Dubin, and featured in the museum show of the same name.

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com
 

Name: Bag Fastener Seal Design II Pin/Pendant; #2 of 5
Size: 3¼” long
Materials: Sterling Silver; 14K Gold, Fossil Ivory.
From 1995. This captivating figure is a direct interpretation of a beautifully decorated utilitarian item left by the Old Bering Sea culture thousands of years ago.

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com
 

Name: WOMAN OF POWER MASK Pin/Pendant (#2 of 5)

Size: Top-to-bottom measurement of the "spokes" surrounding the mask is 3⅜".

Materials: Sterling Silver, 14Kt Gold, Fossil Walrus Ivory.

     From 1994. By the early 90's, Denise's interpretation of traditional objects was fully formed, as can be seen in this exceptional mask pin (or pendant). The workmanship is unparalleled, the execution crisp and clean, and the artistry is refined and delicate. This piece is in brand-new condition and, because of its balanced symmetry, makes a perfect center-piece to a collection of other Wallace jewelry.

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com
 

Name: Sea Otter Transformation Pin/Pendant (#1 of 5)
Size: 3¼"X1¼"
Materials: Sterling silver, 14K gold, fossilized walrus ivory, Dinosaur Bone Fossil

From 2003. This piece is beautifully balanced when worn as a pin and follows the neckline when worn on a choker-length chain.

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com
 

Title: Man and Woman Earrings (c.1993); Limited Edition, #57 of 100
Artist: Denise and Samuel Wallace
Size: Each earring is approx. 2" tall and 13/16" wide
Materials: Sterling Silver, Fossil Walrus Ivory, Chrysacholla
Comments: This pair of earrings is from a limited edition that sold out very quickly when it was released by Denise in 1990. In this pair, the male figure has an inlay of Chrysacholla, and the female has a 'baby' of fossilized Walrus Tusk Ivory.
Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com

 

Title: OLD BERING SEA Earrings (c.1994); Limited Edition, #13 of 100
Artist: Denise and Samuel Wallace
Size: Each earring is approx. 2" tall
Materials: Sterling Silver, 14Kt Gold, Fossil Walrus Ivory.
Comments: This classic design was issued in 1994 as a Limited Edition run of 100 - this pair is number thirteen. They are in virtually brand-new condition with no evident wear of any kind. The edition has been completely sold out and is now closed.
Denise has written the following about this design: "The time period of roughly two thousand years ago is labeled the Old Bering Sea. This is to identify and distinguish the particular type of ivory carving that was executed by our ancestors in the Bering Sea region. Many of the designs are elaborately decorated with universal designs, such as the circles with dots and scrolls. I am particularly fond of the faces. They are elongated, with a limited amount of detail."
Price: SOLD
 

Title: FETISH Earrings (1992); Limited Edition, #9 of 100
Artist: Denise Wallace
Size: Total length is 2⅛"
Materials: Sterling Silver, 14Kt Gold, Fossil Walrus Ivory.
Comments: Circa 1992. This is a Limited-Edition item from the "Fabricast" line, #9 of 100. The bezels (background) were cast in Sterling Silver, overlaid with gold accents (the necklaces and little beads on the female) and the faces were hand carved and scrimshawed at Denise's Santa Fe studio. While these were part of a design theme that included 100 units, each was made one at a time and the small details really make a difference. In this pair, there is something about the faces that is really attractive and we find them captivating. Hopefully, that shows up in the photos.
These earrings are based on small carved figures created many millennia ago by the coastal people of modern day Alaska, and show a male and female figure. A note from Denise: "Many people ask the reason for the facial expressions on the male and female faces. There seem to be many different stories behind this, but the one I am going to tell you comes from my friend Chuna McIntyre. This is a short version of the story:
"At one time there was a brother and a sister. The brother flew up to the sky and turned into the sun. His sister flew up crying, and turned into the moon. Hence, the reason for the upturned mouth on the male faces, and the down-turned mouth on the female faces.""

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com

 

Title: SEAL HUNT Bracelet
Artist: Denise Wallace
Size: Fits a medium-size wrist. The cuff is 7/8" wide.
Materials: Sterling Silver, Fossil Walrus Ivory.
Comments: From 1993. On this bracelet is a hunting scene with hunters in pursuit of a group of seals. The bracelet also has a bear’s head on one side. This is to represent the design that would be painted on the hunter’s boat as a guiding spirit. The spirit of the seal is represented by the human face (known as the animal's INUA). This simple tattooed face is beautiful, and the fossilized ivory is a rich, creamy color.

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com
 

Title: KORYAK MAN Pendant - One of a kind!

Artist: Denise and Samuel  Wallace, with Dawn Wallace

Size: 4¼" tall

From 2002. This rare, one-of-a-kind figure is a derivative piece from an element in the most famous of the Wallace's belts - the Crossroads of Continents Belt (2002). Accordingly, you can find this pendant featured in the book  "Arctic Transformations; the Jewelry of Denise and Samuel Wallace" by Lois Sherr Dubin, on page (page 152).

Materials: Sterling Silver, 14Kt Gold, Fossil Walrus Ivory.

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com
 

Title: Large Seal Mask Pin/Pendants #29 of 100

Artist: Denise Wallace

Size: Large piece is 2⅞" long; Small inner face is also a pendant.

A comment from the artist on this piece: "Most people think this design is a turtle. So many have called it a turtle that I have been tempted to call it a seal/turtle transformation. The design is interpreted from a Yup’ik seal mask. The face in the center of the body represents the spirit of the animal. The swimming seals in the pin/pendant are inspired by etchings. Also, the face on the pin/pendant can be taken out and worn separately.

Materials: Sterling Silver, 14Kt Gold, Fossil Walrus Ivory.

Price: SOLD

Artist: Denise Wallace

Size: 18" long; 22 individual ¾" tall faces

A variety of singing and smiling faces and masks linked together to make a very comfortable necklace. A very interesting great stand-alone piece that can be worn for any number of occasions, this necklace is also a perfect companion for many of Denise's pendants. Most of her Pin/Pendants include a hook that fits the special fastener on this necklace.

Materials: Sterling Silver, 14k Gold, Fossil Walrus Ivory.

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com
 

Title: Tanqik Earrings (Limited Edition #91 of 100)

Title: seal hunt Ring

Artist: Denise Wallace

Size: Ring Size 8 ; Face is ⅞" tall and ½" wide

Materials: Sterling Silver, Fossil Walrus Ivory.

On the band of this ring is a hunting scene with hunters in pursuit of a group of seals. The spirit of the animal is represented by the human face.

Price: Please call us toll-free at 877-909-8794 or Email at sales@longagoandfaraway.com