Elliot Koinva — Hopi Silversmith
Name-card placeholder — hallmark imagery to follow.
Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library
Elliot Koinva is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1970s, working in overlay. He is the brother of Lauren Koinva.
His brother Lauren Koinva (?–1981; Hopi) was active from the 1970s until his death in 1981, working in overlay and overlay with set stones. Lauren Koinva's documented marks include L K and a rattle pictorial stamp.
Overlay is the defining Hopi silversmithing technique, involving a cut-design top silver sheet soldered onto a darkened oxidized backing to create two-tone relief designs. Both Koinva brothers worked within this established Hopi tradition.
The Mark
Two mark forms: the text mark EK, which may appear with a Hopi Guild authentication mark; and a pictorial stamp of a partial sun perched on a rightward-pointing arrow.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022.
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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.