Marvin Lucas
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Wright (Hopi Silver). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Overview
Marvin Lucas is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1980s, working in overlay and appliqué. He is the son of Glenn Lucas and a 1991 Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial winner.
His documented marks are conjoined ML forms: ML with a line under the L, and M L conjoined with a large L.
Collector's caution: Hougart documents that some of Marvin Lucas's work is co-stamped with Effie Tawahongva. Expect pieces carrying both marks — attribute co-stamped pieces to the collaboration, not to either maker alone.
The Mark
"Marvin Lucas (… Hopi). Active since 1980s. Overlay; appliqué. Son of Glenn Lucas. 1991 Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial winner. Some work is co-stamped with Effie Tawahongva. Marks: M L (conjoined with a line under the L); M L (conjoined; the L is large)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: ML (conjoined, with a line under the L); M L (conjoined; the L is large).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. 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. 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.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 95), Marvin Lucas Naquahyeoma, of the Bear clan at Mishongnovi, began silverwork in 1982, learned from his father, Glenn Lucas, and was still working when the listing was last revised; one of his ML marks is dated to the 1990s. [1]
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Bassman (1993, p. 46) pictured a gold-on-silver pendant made in 1992 by Marvin Lucas. [2]
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.