Melanie Kirk-Lente
Overview
Melanie Kirk-Lente (b. 1971) is an Isleta silversmith working in a modern register — inlay in silver and gold. She is the daughter of Andy Lee Kirk and the wife of Michael Lente (not yet in the directory).
Collector's caution: Hougart's entry for Melanie carries no mark line of her own. The shared "Kirk Lente (script)" mark is documented in her husband Michael Lente's entry, not hers. A piece signed Kirk Lente sits under that shared signature — read it as the couple's mark rather than proof of one specific hand.
The Mark
"Melanie Kirk-Lente (1971-; Isleta). Modern; inlay; silver, gold. Daughter of Andy Kirk. Wife of Michael Lente."
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The marks as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: No individual mark documented (husband Michael Lente's entry lists "Kirk Lente (script)").
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. 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. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Tryk, Sheila. Santa Fe Indian Market: Showcase of Native American Art. Photography by Mark Nohl; introduction by Allan Houser. Santa Fe, NM: Tierra Publications, in cooperation with SWAIA (Southwestern Association on Indian Affairs), 1993. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1993.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003), citing McFadden and Taubman, quoted Melanie on her father, Andy Lee Kirk:
“His life was one-hundred-percent commitment to his art.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 205 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 214) recorded Melanie Kirk as Isleta/Navajo, active from about the 1980s in contemporary gold and silver jewelry, a daughter of Andy Lee Kirk and the wife of Michael Lente. [1]
From the Library: Tryk, Santa Fe Indian Market (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Tryk (1993, p. 64) pictured gold jewelry, including a bear pendant, by Melanie Kirk, Isleta, and wrote that she had her own unique style. [2]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice the books give her nation a little differently. This page, following Hougart, calls her Isleta, while Schaaf's 2003 entry prints Isleta/Navajo, matching her father Andy Lee Kirk. I show both.
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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.