Berdie Ohmsatte
Overview
Berdie Ohmsatte is a Zuni smith, active since the 1970s, documented for mosaic inlay in silver and gold — flowers, birds, and other animals among her subjects. She shared her stamps with her husband, Silas Ohmsatte. Their son Emery Ohmsatte is also a documented smith.
Collector's caution: Berdie Ohmsatte shared her stamps — S & B (with a symbol above) and S & B OHMSATTE — with her husband Silas. The mark alone cannot separate her work from his; her entry records mosaic inlay where his records inlay, so let the technique and the piece itself carry the attribution, not the stamp. Silas's page carries the same caution.
The Mark
"Berdie Ohmsatte (Zuni). Active since 1970s. Mosaic inlay; silver, gold; flowers, birds and other animals. Ohmsatte shared the stamps with her husband Silas Ohmsatte. Marks: S & B (and a symbol above); S & B OHMSATTE"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The marks as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: S & B (and a symbol above); S & B OHMSATTE — shared with her husband Silas Ohmsatte.
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 this artist? 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
“Bertie Ohmsatte (Berdie Ohmstadt)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 248 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 248) recorded Bertie Ohmsatte as Zuni, active from before 1976 in gold, silver and mosaic inlay jewelry, the mother of Emery Ohmsatte, with bighorn sheep, eagles and songbirds among her favorite designs; her husband Silas's entry (p. 249) gives the couple's shared stamp as S & B with an arc and a star. [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.