Ray Tafoya — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark
Ray Tafoya's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
The mark
"Ray Tafoya (?-1994; Santa Clara). Ray Povijemu Tafoya (Povijemu: 'Falling Flower' is also the name of the family shop) was a ceramics artist and silversmith. Active c. 1960s-1994. Stamp work; applique; set stones. Marks: Ray Tafoya (etched script); POVIJEMU" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 301.
Hougart documents this artist as Ray Tafoya (Santa Clara), not Navajo:
What is known
- Full name: Ray Povijemu Tafoya ("Povijemu" = "Falling Flower" in Tewa; also the family shop name)
- Nation: Santa Clara Pueblo (NOT Navajo — DB flag required)
- Life/active span: ?–1994; active c. 1960s–1994
- Dual identity: ceramics artist and silversmith
- Techniques: stamp work, applique, set stones
- Marks: Ray Tafoya (etched script); POVIJEMU (stamped)
- Family context: Art Tafoya (b. 1954, Yaqui) is documented nearby and credited with photos of the Ray Tafoya entry; a personal communication from Art Tafoya (2018) is cited.
No entry found in Adair 1944, Rosnek 1976, Schaaf (Tafoya entries = Lorenzo H. and Mary L. only), or Dubin sources.
Know more about Ray? Let us know.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 301.