Porfilio Sheyka — Zuni Silversmith
Porfilio Sheyka (1938–1982) was a Zuni inlay jeweler whose work often carried bird designs. Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I lists him as Zuni, active from 1961 to 1982 in mosaic, channel inlay and engraved jewelry, and as collaborating with Ann Sheyka (Schaaf 2003, p. 287). Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks gives the same dates and describes inlay, some fish-scale work and early nugget work in turquoise and coral, in bolos, rings and pendants, many with bird designs (Hougart 2022, p. 286).
Theda and Michael Bassman's Zuni Jewelry pictures two inlay pins of 1979, a mountain lion and a rabbit, made by Ann and Porfilio Sheyka (Bassman and Bassman 2006, p. 31). The 1975 Turquoise Blue Book shows a group of bola ties by Porfilio Sheyka (Stacey 1975, p. 87).
His hallmark
Schaaf records his hallmark as a macaw beak (Schaaf 2003, p. 287). Hougart lists a parrot or macaw beak, a P on a clipped or square plate, and P Sheyka in script with the P raised, and notes that the stamps were shared (Hougart 2022, p. 286).
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References
- 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.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Revised and expanded 3rd edition. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2006.
- Stacey, Joseph, ed. Turquoise Blue Book and Indian Jewelry Digest. Arizona Highways Collectors Series. Phoenix: Arizona Highways, 1975.
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.