Emery Holmes — Hopi Silversmith
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Wright (Hopi Silver). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Emery Holmes is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1970s. The Hougart record documents his work in overlay — the distinctive Hopi technique of cutting design patterns through a top sheet of silver and soldering it onto a backing sheet — and overlay work with set stones.
Overlay is closely associated with the Hopi tradition, having been systematically developed and promoted through the mid-twentieth century as a signature Hopi jewelry form. Holmes's work within this tradition reflects a sustained engagement with a culturally specific technique.
The Mark
""EH (etched; may be conjoined or offset)" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022)."
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark is an etched EH, documented as appearing in both conjoined and offset layouts.
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- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 90), Emery Holmes, of the Badger clan at Moenkopi, began silverwork in 1975 and learned at Hopicrafts under Glenn Lucas; Wright lists him as a brother of Douglas. [1]
Wright (2003, p. 95) records that Cleve Honyaktewa, who began in 1983 at Shipaulovi, learned from Phil Sekaquaptewa, Emery Holmes and Honani Crafts. [1]
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Bassman (1993, p. 46) pictured a spider pin made in 1992 by Emery Holmes. [2]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 176) named Emery Holmes as the father and teacher of the Hopi overlay smith Brian Holmes, active from about 1992. [3]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives EH to two makers:
“EH (Emery Holmes, Erwin Hoskie)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 168 [3]
Sources
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003. Originally published by Northland Publishing. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1993. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1993.
- 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.
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.