Belvin Yuyaheova

Biography by Mateo James

Belvin Yuyaheova — Hopi silversmith hallmark namecard

Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios), Wright (Hopi Silver). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.

Overview

Belvin Yuyaheova is a Hopi overlay silversmith active since the 1990s, working rain cloud and corn symbols. His documented marks are BY and a cloud.

The entry is brief and we publish it as documented. One attribution note: a cloud mark is also documented for Hopi silversmith Manuel Poseyesva — with two Hopi smiths carrying cloud marks, attribution rests on the specific form of the stamp.

The Mark

"Belvin Yuyaheova (Hopi). Active since 1990s. Overlay; rain cloud and corn symbols. Marks: BY; a cloud"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).

The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: BY; a cloud.

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. 107), Belvin Yuyaheova, of the Snow clan at Shungopavi, began silverwork in 1991 after learning at the Guild and was still working when the listing was last revised; Wright shows two marks, his initials BY and a cloud. [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. 337) recorded Belvin Yuyaheova as Hopi, of Shungopavi, active from about 1991 in overlay, taught at the Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild, using a cloud and BY as his hallmark, with Hamana So-o's Arts and Crafts in Old Oraibi among his galleries. [2]

Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives BY to three makers:

“BY (Bobby Begaye, Benson Yazzie, Belvin Yuyaheova)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 327 [2]

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.

Learn more: Hopi Overlay

From the T.Skies gallery: browse our Native American jewelry collection.