Art Acoya — Zuni Silversmith Hallmark

Biography by Mateo James

Hallmark of Art Acoya (Zuni) — photographed by T.Skies

Art Acoya's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.

Zuni · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library

Art Acoya is a Zuni silversmith documented in Hougart 5th ed. He works in traditional Zuni style with nugget work. His entry appears in the main alphabetical artist section as well as the hallmark index.

The mark

"Art Acoya (Zuni). Traditional, nugget work. Marks: A ACOYA; A A (letters may be stacked)." — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).

Two mark forms are recorded: the full surname mark A ACOYA and an abbreviated A A (the two letters may be stacked vertically). The hallmark index confirms the mark as a conjoined glyph attributed to Art Acoya, cross-referenced alongside Angus Ahiyite, Aaron Anderson, Archie Apachho, and Allen Aragon under the "AA" family of marks.

What is known

Art Acoya's entry is brief. He is identified as Zuni and works in a traditional style featuring nugget work — a Zuni technique using rough or minimally shaped turquoise and coral stones set prominently in silver. No birth year, active-period dates, family relationships, or biographical detail are recorded. No entry for Art Acoya was found in Schaaf (2003), Adair (1944), Rosnek (1976), or Bedinger (1973).

Know more about Art? Let us know.

References

  • Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (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.

From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)

2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.

Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index lists Art Acoya first among five makers who used the initials AA:

“AA (Art Acoya, Alvin Adkins, Annie Antone, Archy Apachito, Allen Aragon)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 54 [1]

Field Notes by Mateo James

I notice this page says no entry for Art Acoya was found in Schaaf (2003). That holds for a biography, but Schaaf's hallmark index does list him under AA, together with four other makers. I have added the index listing beside the earlier note.

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.

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