Bobby Tewa — Silversmith
Overview
Bobby Tewa (1948–) is an Ohkay Owingeh/Hopi silversmith active since the 1970s, working in overlay and mosaic inlay. He is an award winner in jewelry and hollowware overlay. His mark — "B Tewa" in stylized script — is noted in Hougart's hallmark reference.
Living artist; extra care taken for accuracy.
The Mark
"Bobby Tewa (1948-; Ohkay Owingeh/Hopi). Active since 1970s. Overlay; mosaic inlay. Award winner in jewelry and hollowware overlay. Mark: B Tewa (stylized script)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 308.
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: B Tewa (stylized script).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Baxter, Paula A., with Allison Bird-Romero. Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry: A Guide to History, People, and Terms. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 2000. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2000.
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From the Library: Baxter, Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry (2000)
2000 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2000, not today.
Listing contemporary San Juan (Ohkay Owingeh) jewelers in 2000, Baxter wrote of him, spelling the name Bobbie:
“as does Bobbie Tewa (b. 1948; San Juan/Hopi), whose overlay work is in great demand at Indian Market.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 143 [1]
In her 2000 encyclopedia, Baxter, who spelled his name Bobbie Tewa and listed him as San Juan/Hopi, born 1948, wrote:
“Bobbie Tewa learned silverwork from a federally funded course held at San Juan Pueblo.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 173 [1]
As of 2000, Baxter (2000) described his overlay and his market:
“Tewa’s strong, clean overlay, with designs often drawn from pottery and weaving motifs, is especially popular with collectors at the Santa Fe Indian Market, where he has exhibited regularly since 1976.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 173 [1]
Baxter (2000, p. 173) recorded that he won two awards from SWAIA in 1982. [1]
According to Baxter (2000, p. 173), besides jewelry he made fine metalware such as wine goblets, and he often set a turquoise stone onto his overlay designs. [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.