Raymond Kyasyousie
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Wright (Hopi Silver). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Overview
Raymond Kyasyousie (born 1957) is a Hopi overlay silversmith active since the 1970s, working silver and gold. His work may be marked for Hopicrafts rather than personally. His documented mark is RK.
He is the husband of Dorothy Poleyma Kyasyousie — her entry states 'Wife of Raymond Kyasyousie' — and the brother of Tony Kyasyousie, per Tony's own entry. The RK mark is described there as personalized stamping and may be conjoined.
The Mark
"Raymond Kyasyousie (1957-; Hopi). Active since 1970s. Overlay; silver, gold. May be marked for Hopicrafts. Husband of Docothy Poleyma Kyasyoti of Tooy Kyasyoosle. Ma,k; RK (pe"°"aU,ed stamplog; may be ,oojoloed)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: RK (personalized stamping; may be conjoined); may be marked for Hopicrafts.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- 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: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
2007 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2007, not today.
According to Bahti (2007, p. 73), Raymond Kyasyousie was born in 1957 to Ranspie and Elina (Nutumya) Kyasyousie, graduated from the Phoenix Indian School in 1975, and apprenticed with his older brother Tony at Hopicrafts, the operation run by Emory and Wayne Sekaquaptewa. [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 73), like many smiths who learned at the Hopi Guild in that era, Raymond was taught by Hopi silversmith Glenn Lucas, who advised the men as they worked; they practiced in copper and brass before moving to silver after a month or so. [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 73), Raymond later worked for Scottsdale jewelry wholesaler Phil Tenneholz alongside fellow Hopi smiths Steven Sockyma and Elgen Sehongva, then at the Trails End Shop, where Roy Talaheftewa worked. [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 74), Raymond, a member of the Greasewood Clan, returned to Hopi in 1984 to work for Phil Sekaquaptewa and from 1987 worked at Von Monongye's shop on Third Mesa, just outside Old Orayvi. [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 75), katsina figures were something of a specialty of Raymond's, with a particular focus on Hopi koshares (clowns). [1]
From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 90), Raymond Kyasyousie, of the Greasewood clan at Hotevilla, began silverwork in 1975 and learned at Hopicrafts under Glenn Lucas; Wright lists him as a brother of Tony Kyasyousie. [2]
Wright (2003, p. 84) lists his brother Tony Kyasyousie, also of the Greasewood clan at Hotevilla, as beginning in 1969, learning at Hopicrafts and working there, with a recorded death year of 1993; his mark is labelled 'Rabbit Stick 1975'. [2]
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Bassman (1993, p. 12) pictured oval earrings with eagle feathers made in 1988 by Raymond Kyasyousie. [3]
Bassman (1993, p. 20) pictured a bracelet with a village scene and a lapis lazuli stone made in 1992 by Raymond Kyasyousie. [3]
Bassman (1993, p. 34) pictured two pendants made in 1992 by Raymond Kyasyousie, each set with lapis lazuli: one gold on silver with a corn design, the other with a water-wave design. [3]
Bassman (1993, p. 37) pictured butterfly earrings made in 1992 by Raymond Kyasyousie. [3]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“Raymond Kyasyousie (signs RK)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 208 [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 208) recorded Raymond Kyasyousie as Hopi, active from about 1975 in gold, silver overlay and set stone jewelry, a son of Elena Nutumya and Ranspie Kyasyousie, taught by Glen Lucas at Hopicrafts, and named Michael Selena and his wife Dorothy as his students. [4]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives RK to four makers:
“RK (Raybert & Rhoda Kanteena, Richard Kee, Raymond Kyasyousie)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 199 [4]
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.