Gary Masawytewa — Hopi Silversmith

Gary Masawytewa began silverwork at Mishongnovi in 1991, and Margaret Nickelson Wright's Hopi Silver, a register of Hopi smiths and their hallmarks records that he "Learned at the Guild" (Wright 2003, p. 106).

Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as Hopi, working in overlay and active from the 1990s until his death in 2006 (Hougart 2022, p. 209).

His hallmark

Wright labels his mark "Bear Paw & Initials" (Wright 2003, p. 106). Hougart gives his marks as "A bear paw (using MASA as claws); G MASA (formed into a bear paw); G. Masawytewa" (Hougart 2022, p. 209).

Own a piece with this mark, or know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.

References

  1. Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003.
  2. 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.