Matilda Banteah — Zuni Silversmith
Matilda Banteah was a Zuni inlay jeweler who worked in partnership with her husband, Valentino Banteah. Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists her as Zuni, born 1955 and now deceased, active since 1973 in inlay, with geometric and cobblestone designs (Hougart 2022, p. 44).
Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I records the same start, 1973, and her work in mosaic and channel inlay: bracelets, chokers, earrings, necklaces, pendants, pins, rings and watch tips, in silver with coral, turquoise, jet and mother-of-pearl (Schaaf 2003, p. 68).
Her hallmark
Hougart gives the mark she shared with her husband as V. M. B. and V M B (Hougart 2022, p. 44).
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References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Revised and Expanded 3rd Edition. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2006 (first published 1992). Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2006.
From the Library: Bassman and Bassman, Zuni Jewelry (2006)
2006 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2006, not today.
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 39) named Matilda and Valentino Banteah among the makers of an assortment of women's and men's watch tips of inlay, raised inlay, channel inlay and needlepoint made in 1991. [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.