Aaron Honanie — Silversmith
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Wright (Hopi Silver). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Overview
Aaron Honanie is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1970s, working in overlay. He is the uncle of Anthony (Antone) Honanie and the brother of Ernest W. Honanie. His distinctive mark — "AH" enclosed inside a frog pictorial — makes his pieces identifiable. No birth year is recorded in Hougart's entry.
Birth year not recorded in Hougart's entry; no death year given. Entry treated as for a living or recent artist; extra care taken for accuracy.
The Mark
"Aaron Honanie (Hopi). Active since 1970s. Overlay. Uncle of Anthony (Antone) Honanie and brother of Ernest W. Honanie. Mark: A H (inside a frog)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 141.
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: AH (inside a frog) — overlay.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003. Originally published by Northland Publishing. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Schaaf, Gregory, with Angie Yan Schaaf. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies, ca. 1800-present. American Indian Art Series, Vol. 5. Santa Fe: CIAC Press, 2003. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 85), Aaron Honanie, of the Fog clan at Shungopavi and Moenkopi, began silverwork in 1972 after learning at Hopicrafts and was still working when the listing was last revised; Wright labels his mark 'Frog'. [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 178) recorded Antone Honanie, a Hopi silver overlay smith trained at the Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild, as a nephew of Aaron Honanie, and entered Anthony E. Honahnie, born in 1947, as a separate smith. [2]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice this page treats Anthony and Antone Honanie as one nephew. Schaaf's 2003 register enters them as two smiths: Antone Honanie, whom it names as Aaron's nephew, and Anthony E. Honahnie, born in 1947. I show both readings until the family confirms which is right.
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and compiled from published references. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.