Chalmers Day — Hopi Silversmith
Chalmers Day learned his craft from Preston Monongye. Margaret Nickelson Wright's Hopi Silver, a register of Hopi smiths and their hallmarks, records that he "Started in Manpower Class, Phoenix, taught by Preston Monongye," later worked for him, and began silverwork in 1976 (Wright 2003, p. 91).
Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as "Chalmers Day (1946-; Hopi)," active since the 1970s, and describes his work as "Mosaic and pictorial inlay (mid 1970s to early 1980s); overlay; carving," adding that he is "A student of Preston Monongye" and a "Multiple award winner" (Hougart 2022, p. 102).
His hallmark
Wright shows two dated marks: one from 1981, and a cloud mark from 1982 with the lettering C. DAY (Wright 2003, p. 91). Hougart gives his marks as "A parrot beak; C; C. DAY; Chalmers Day; a cloud" (Hougart 2022, p. 102).
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.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
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.