Billie Ray Hawee — Hopi Silversmith Hallmark
Billie Ray Hawee learned silversmithing at the Hopi Silvercraft Guild. Margaret Nickelson Wright's Hopi Silver, a register of Hopi smiths and their hallmarks, records Billie Ray Hawee as a member of the Sun clan, born in Shungopavi, who later moved to Hotevilla and began silverwork in 1959 (Wright 2003, p. 81). Billie Ray Hawee died in 1980.
The hallmark
Wright labels the mark "Star & Crescent Moon." The printed drawing shows a four-pointed star above an upward-opening crescent moon (Wright 2003, p. 81).
Own a piece with this mark, or know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
References
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 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.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 173) recorded Billy Rae Hawee as a Hopi smith active from about 1959 to 1980, taught by the Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild, and the father of the overlay smith Fermin Hawee. [2]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index also gives him the initials BRH:
“BRH (Billy Rae Hawee)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 168 [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.