Hugh Bowekaty — Zuni Silversmith
Hugh Bowekaty works in needlepoint with his wife, Agnes Bowekaty. Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as "Hugh Bowekaty (Zuni)," active since the 1950s in needlepoint, and records that he shares his stamps with her (Hougart 2022, p. 69).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry shows the couple's needlepoint squash blossom necklace with earrings to match, made in the 1970s (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 44), and a needlepoint oval pin-pendant of theirs (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 45). Hougart adds that he made special orders for the Zuni trader Sherwin Kohnke (Hougart 2022, pp. 69, 363).
His hallmark
Hougart gives the couple's shared marks as H & A, H. BOWEKATY and H. & A. BOWEKATY (Hougart 2022, p. 69). Some pieces he made for Kohnke may instead carry Kohnke's "grey squirrel" mark (Hougart 2022, p. 69), a shop mark that other smiths also used on Kohnke's orders, so it does not identify Hugh (Hougart 2022, p. 363).
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References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Revised and expanded 3rd edition. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2006.
- 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.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 96) dated the couple's stamps: H.&A. BOWEKATY from 1974, H. BOWEKATY from 1983, and also H & A. Schaaf recorded Hugh Bowekaty as active from 1951 in needlepoint, teaching Florenda Haskie and Norbert Haskie. [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 96) listed a second prize for a needlepoint bracelet at the 2002 Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup. [3]
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.