Irvin Lomay — Hopi Silversmith
Hallmark documented in: Hougart. Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Irvin Lomay is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1980s. The Hougart record describes his style as contemporary. He is the son of Lewis Lomay (also known as Lomayesva), himself a notable Hopi silversmith whose lineage connects to Ambrose Roanhorse — a foundational figure in Native American silversmithing who taught at the Santa Fe Indian School.
Irvin Lomay's family background places him within a multi-generational tradition of Southwestern silversmithing, with his father Lewis's training under Roanhorse representing a significant thread in that lineage.
The Mark
“I L (with a snake between or after the letters); I L”
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Two mark variants are recorded: the initials I L, and a variant with a snake figure placed between or after the letters. The snake element adds a pictographic dimension to an otherwise initial-based mark.
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- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
Family Links
- Father of James Rawn Lomay.
From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 97), Irvin Lomay learned silverwork from his father, Lewis Lomay, and began working in Santa Fe in 1986; as of the 2003 edition he was listed as still working when the list was last revised. [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 221) recorded Irvin Lomay as Hopi, active from about 1986 in traditional and contemporary silver jewelry, living in Santa Fe as of 2003, a son of Lewis Lomay and Sophie Roybal Lomay, a brother of Peggy Lomay, taught by his father, and the father and teacher of James Rawn Lomay. [2]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index, spelling him Irving, gives IL to two makers:
“IL (Irene Lee, Irving Lomay)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 209 [2]
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.
- 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.