Jerry Whagado (formerly Jerry Honwytewa) — Hopi Silversmith
Jerry Whagado, who began his career as Jerry Honwytewa, learned at the Hopi Guild. Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as Hopi/Yavapai Apache, born in 1947, "Formerly known as Jerry Honwytewa," and records that he "Was taught by Fred Kabotie at the Hopi Guild" (Hougart 2022, p. 335).
Margaret Nickelson Wright's Hopi Silver, a register of Hopi smiths and their hallmarks, lists him as Jerry Honwytewa Whagado and dates his start at Shungopavi to 1970 (Wright 2003, p. 85); Hougart has him active since the late 1960s. Theda Bassman's The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry shows a pin with a parrot design he made in 1980 (Bassman 1993, p. 12).
Hougart describes his work as "Overlay; set stones" and notes a "First place award division winner at 2017 Heard Museum Art Market Fair" (Hougart 2022, p. 335).
His hallmark
Wright labels his mark "Hook for Bear Strap" (Wright 2003, p. 85). Hougart gives his marks as "A bear strap hook; J H" (Hougart 2022, p. 335).
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References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1993.
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.