Fred Kabotie — Hopi Silversmith Hallmark
Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Fred Kabotie (1900–1986) was a Hopi painter and teacher who, with Paul Saufkie, taught the Hopi veterans' silversmithing classes after World War II. He helped found the Hopi Silvercraft Guild in 1949, served as its secretary-treasurer, and later managed it until he retired as manager in 1971. No personal hallmark is recorded for him.
KEY POINTS
- Fred Kabotie (1900–1986) was a Hopi painter and art teacher.
- He was the design instructor of the Hopi veterans' classes, which Wright dates from February 1947.
- Baxter says the overlay style and technique were taught by Kabotie and Paul Saufkie.
- He was the Hopi Silvercraft Guild's secretary-treasurer, then its manager until 1971.
- No personal hallmark is recorded for him.
Fred Kabotie was a noted Hopi artist, teacher, and the father of silversmith Michael Kabotie (Lomawywesa). He is documented in Margaret Nickelson Wright's Hopi Silver as a central figure in the founding of the Hopi Silvercraft Guild in 1949 and in the post–World War II G.I. Bill silversmithing training program at Hopi.
Between 1948 and 1950, Fred Kabotie worked alongside Paul Saufkie to teach silver smithing and design at Hopi as part of the G.I. Bill training program for veterans. Jacka (1995, p. 70) also credits Paul Saufkie and Fred Kabotie with the overlay technique, which she wrote "was originated in the late 1930s"; the Hopi overlay guide sets her date beside the other books. [5] Willard Beatty, Director of Indian Education, met with Kabotie and Paul Saufkie in 1946 and arranged for the government to sponsor an eighteen-month silversmithing course for Hopi veterans. This program paid for the cost of training, provided necessary tools, and paid living expenses for the veteran and his family.
Fred Kabotie was elected secretary-treasurer of the Hopi Silver Craft Guild when it was established and served in that position. His son Michael Kabotie (Lomawywesa) (1942–2009) became a celebrated silversmith in his own right; Michael studied silver smithing in his father's high school class.
The Hougart record documents Fred Kabotie solely as an educator and institutional figure connected to the Guild; no personal hallmark is recorded for him.
Note: Fred Kabotie's primary identity in the historical record is as a Hopi painter and cultural figure, not as a practicing silversmith. His role in the Hopi silver tradition is documented as educator and administrator.
The mark
No personal hallmark documented for Fred Kabotie in the available source record. His significance in the Hopi silver tradition is as a teacher and administrator, not as a hallmark-registered silversmith.
Family Links
- Grandfather of Ed Kabotie (via son Michael Kabotie).
Field Notes by Mateo James
Our page gives 1948 to 1950 for Kabotie's teaching in the veterans' program. Wright has the classes starting in February 1947; Bedinger dates the 1946 exhibit that led to them. The ranges overlap but do not begin in the same year, so I show both as written.
Our page gives 1948 to 1950 for Kabotie's teaching in the veterans' course. Baxter's 2000 encyclopedia agrees with Wright on a 1947 start but runs the course to 1951. I add her dates beside the others rather than choose.
The page calls him a teacher and administrator rather than a practicing silversmith. Bedinger (1973, p. 208) describes a technique Kabotie used himself: copper sheet cut to fit an overlay opening, then soldered into the silver, a hard join because the two metals melt at different points. I show both. [1]
Wright (2003, p. 45) has Kabotie as the Guild's secretary-treasurer, then its manager until he retired as manager in 1971. Bassman (1993, p. 2) has Fred Kabotie and his wife, Alice, managing the Guild together for more than twenty years. Only Bassman names Alice. [3] [4]
Jacka (1995, p. 70) credits Paul Saufkie and Fred Kabotie with the overlay technique and dates its origin to the late 1930s. Baxter (2000, p. 72) says the style and its technique were taught by the two of them, with government assistance. Jacka writes about where overlay began, Baxter about how it was taught. [5] [6]
Wright (2003, p. 45) has him as the Guild's secretary-treasurer until he was made its manager. Schaaf (2003, p. 200) has him elected secretary-treasurer and manager together in 1951, then continuing as manager for twenty years while his wife, Alice, took over as secretary-treasurer. I show both. [3] [8]
From the Library
What 7 reference books say about Fred Kabotie, grouped by topic. Every passage names its book and page; full references are under Sources.
These are outside observers' records; Fred Kabotie's own words, his family, and the Hopi people are the authority on his life and work.
The veterans' classes, 1946 to 19515 passages · 4 books
The 1946 exhibit, the G.I. Bill course, and what the trainees worked from.
According to Bedinger (1973, p. 202), Fred Kabotie, then an established Hopi artist and art instructor at Oraibi High School, organized the 1946 exhibit of Hopi crafts that led to the veterans' silversmithing class, and served as its Art Director and Business Manager. [1]
According to Wright (2003, p. 38), Fred Kabotie was the design instructor of the veterans' classes that began in February 1947, alongside his job as art teacher at Hopi High School in Kykotsmovi. [3]
Schaaf (2003) wrote:
“In 1947, Kabotie also became the design instructor for the jewelry classes organized by Paul Saufkie.”
Schaaf (2003), p. 200 AS OF 2003 [8]
Baxter (2000) dated the veterans' course this way:
“From 1947 to 1951, Kabotie, along with Paul Saufkie (ca. 1910-1998), taught a course on jewelry-making to Hopi veterans; the course was funded by the G.I. Bill.”
Baxter (2000), p. 93 AS OF 2000 [6]
According to Wright (2003, p. 40), the trainees also drew on a book of Mimbres designs that Kabotie had prepared under a Guggenheim fellowship. [3]
Overlay, and copper set in silver2 passages · 2 books
Who taught overlay, and a technique of his own.
In her 2000 encyclopedia, Baxter wrote:
“The overlay style and its technique were taught by artist Fred Kabotie (1900-1986) and Shungopovi silversmith Paul Saufkie (ca. 1910-1998), with governmental assistance.”
Baxter (2000), p. 72 AS OF 2000 [6]
According to Bedinger (1973, p. 208), Kabotie used a technique of inlaying copper into silver: the design was cut out as for overlay, a piece of copper sheet was trimmed to fit the opening, and the whole was soldered together, which the different melting points of the two metals made difficult. [1]
Running the Guild3 passages · 3 books
His posts at the Hopi Silvercraft Guild, and who ran it with him.
According to Wright (2003, p. 45), Kabotie served as the Guild's secretary-treasurer until the government transferred him to work under the Indian Arts and Crafts Board as the Guild's manager; he retired as manager in 1971 but remained active in the Guild. [3]
According to Bassman (1993, p. 2), Fred Kabotie and his wife, Alice, managed the Guild for more than twenty years. [4]
Schaaf (2003) wrote that in 1951
“Kabotie was elected secretary-treasurer and manager of the Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild”
Schaaf (2003), p. 200 AS OF 2003 [8]
The painter6 passages · 4 books
Where he learned to paint, his own words on Hopi art, and a later honor.
Writing in 1993 about the early Santa Fe painters, Tryk recorded:
“About this time, Elizabeth DeHuff, whose husband was superintendent of the Santa Fe Indian School, took it upon herself to teach art to some talented youngsters in her home, among them three who gained some fame as painters: Fred Kabotie, Hopi; Velino Shije Herrera, Zia; and Otis Polelonema, Hopi.”
Tryk (1993), p. 125 AS OF 1993 [7]
Schaaf (2003, p. 199) named Dorothy Dunn as Fred Kabotie's teacher. [8]
Tryk (1993) added of DeHuff's teaching:
“She assured her young students that it was all right to be Indian and to paint Indian subject matter.”
Tryk (1993), p. 125 AS OF 1993 [7]
Schaaf (2003) wrote of Fred Kabotie's return to Arizona in 1930:
“The first summer, he managed the Fred Harvey gift shop at the Grand Canyon.”
Schaaf (2003), p. 200 AS OF 2003 [8]
Turnbaugh (2007, p. 71) opens the book's "New Directions" chapter with words of Fred Kabotie, Hopi Indian artist, dated 1977:
“Our objectives are to experiment and test new ideas and techniques in art by using traditional Hopi designs and concepts as well as our own concepts of the inner Hopi.”
Turnbaugh (2007), p. 71 AS OF 2007 [2]
Baxter (2000) recorded a later honor:
“Fred Kabotie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the College of Ganado (Arizona) in 1978.”
Baxter (2000), p. 93 AS OF 2000 [6]
Frequently asked questions
Was Fred Kabotie a silversmith?
He is known first as a Hopi painter and teacher. He taught design in the Hopi veterans' silversmithing classes, and Bedinger describes a copper-into-silver technique he used. No personal hallmark is recorded for him. [1]
What did Fred Kabotie do for Hopi silver?
With Paul Saufkie he taught the G.I. Bill classes for Hopi veterans after World War II. He was the Hopi Silvercraft Guild's secretary-treasurer and later its manager, retiring as manager in 1971. [3]
Did Fred Kabotie create Hopi overlay?
Jacka credits Paul Saufkie and Fred Kabotie with the overlay technique, which she says originated in the late 1930s. Baxter says the two of them taught the overlay style and technique. [5] [6]
Is there a Fred Kabotie hallmark?
No personal hallmark is recorded for Fred Kabotie in the source record.
Who was Fred Kabotie's son?
Michael Kabotie (Lomawywesa) (1942–2009), a Hopi silversmith, who studied silversmithing in his father's high school class.
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.
Know more about this artist or teacher? Contact T.Skies. See also: Michael Kabotie (Lomawywesa) (son).
Sources
- Bedinger, Margery. Indian Silver: Navajo and Pueblo Jewelers. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1973. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1973.
- Turnbaugh, William A., and Sarah Peabody Turnbaugh. Indian Jewelry of the American Southwest. Foreword by Barry M. Goldwater. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2007 (copyright 1996 and 2007; first published 1988). ISBN 0-7643-2577-9. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- 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.
- Jacka, Lois Essary. Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone. Photographs by Jerry Jacka. Flagstaff: Northland Publishing, 1995. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1995.
- 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.
- Tryk, Sheila. Santa Fe Indian Market: Showcase of Native American Art. Photography by Mark Nohl; introduction by Allan Houser. Santa Fe, NM: Tierra Publications, in cooperation with SWAIA (Southwestern Association on Indian Affairs), 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.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022. (Referenced in Michael Kabotie entry; Paul Saufkie entry.)
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.