McBride Lomayestewa — Hopi Silversmith
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios), Wright (Hopi Silver). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library
McBride Lomayestewa (1932–2002) was a Hopi silversmith active from the 1950s through 2002, working in overlay, inlay, channel inlay, cobblestone, jewelry, and flatware. He was the brother of Mark Lomayestewa and Clarence Lomayestewa.
McBride Lomayestewa is part of the extended Lomayestewa silversmithing family. Dwayne Lomayestewa is separately documented in this directory — see Dwayne Lomayestewa's page. Other documented family members include Arthur, Jessica, Kendrick, Lendrick, Marcus, Stetson, and Fernanda Lomayestewa.
McBride Lomayestewa's career span of roughly five decades, and his range of techniques — from traditional overlay to cobblestone and flatware — document him as a central figure in the family's sustained engagement with Hopi silversmithing.
The Mark
Two mark forms: the text mark MB L (McBride Lomayestewa), and a lightning pictorial stamp which may appear with a Hopi Guild authentication mark.
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.
- 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.
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From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 92), his son Marcus Lomayestewa, of the Bear clan at Shungopavi, began in 1976 after learning at the Guild; Wright labels his marks 'Flute' and 'Chief Stick'. [1]
According to Wright (2003, p. 81), McBride Lomayestewa, of the Snow clan at Shungopavi, began silverwork in 1955 and learned at the Guild; his mark is labelled 'Lightning', and the listing records his death in 2002. [1]
Wright (2003, p. 81) lists his brother Mark Lomayestewa, of the Snow clan at Shungopavi, as beginning in 1955 after learning at the Guild, with a mark labelled 'Snow Cloud'; the listing records Mark's death in 1995. [1]
According to Wright (2003, p. 79), their brother Clarence Lomayestewa, of the Snow clan, began in 1948 in the G.I. Bill veterans' classes, worked until 1964, and gave his tools to Mark and McBride. [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) pictured a pair of his earrings:
“Lightning earrings made in 1984 by McBride Lomayestewa.”
— Bassman (1993), p. 38 [2]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 207) named the Hopi overlay smith Pascal Nuvamsa as a son of McBride Lomayestewa and a brother of Marcus Lomayestewa. [3]
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“McBride Lomayestewa (hallmark - lightning)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 224 [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 224) recorded McBride Lomayestewa as Hopi, active from about 1955 to 2001 in silver overlay jewelry and drums, with prizes for an overlay pin and earrings at Indian Market in 1979. [3]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice the books date his life differently. This page gives 1932 to 2002, and Wright records his death in 2002, while Schaaf's 2003 entry prints a lifespan of about the 1920s to 2001. I show both as printed.
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.