Alta Sandoval — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Alta Sandoval — Navajo Silversmith
Alta Sandoval (Navajo) has been active since the 1960s, working in cluster work and set stones. She is the mother of Bonnie Sandoval and Dean Sandoval, Jr. She shares the mark S with her husband Dean Sandoval, Sr. — a documented shared-mark family in Navajo silversmithing.
Dean Sandoval, Sr. is the patriarch of a significant Navajo silversmithing family line. Their children have continued in the tradition: Bonnie Sandoval (Navajo; active since 1986) uses the mark S (with STERLING), and Dean Sandoval, Jr. (Navajo) works in cluster work, stamp work, set stones, dragonfly motif, twisted rope construction, and petrified wood. Dean Jr. shares his mark with his wife Rosella Sandoval; their mark is S1 (S with superscript or variant). For the family's broader context, see Dean Sandoval.
Attribution caution: The mark S is shared between Alta Sandoval and her husband Dean Sandoval, Sr. A piece marked S alone cannot be attributed to Alta individually without additional provenance documentation.
The Mark
"Alta Sandoval (Navajo). Active since 1960s. Cluster work; set stones. Mother of Bonnie and Dean Sandoval, Jr. The mark is shared with husband Dean Sandoval, Sr. Mark: S"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Mark: S — a single-letter stamp shared with husband Dean Sandoval, Sr. One of the shorter Navajo marks documented; the family context and shared-mark note in Hougart are the key to identification.
Family Links
- Husband: Dean Sandoval, Sr. (Navajo) — shared mark S — see Dean Sandoval
- Daughter: Bonnie Sandoval (Navajo; active since 1986) — mark S with STERLING
- Son: Dean Sandoval, Jr. (Navajo) — mark S1; shared with wife Rosella Sandoval
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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 Alta Sandoval or the Sandoval family Navajo silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered her as
“Alta Sandoval (stamps S)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 278 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 278) recorded Alta Sandoval as Navajo, active from about the 1960s in silver jewelry, living at Canoncito, New Mexico, as of 2003, the mother of Dean and Bonnie Sandoval and one other daughter, and Bonnie's teacher, with her work at Silver Sun in Santa Fe. [1]
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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.