Roy Talaheftewa

Biography by Mateo James

Name-card placeholder — hallmark imagery to follow.

Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library

Roy Talaheftewa (born 1955) is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1970s, working in overlay, tufa casting, overlay combined with inlay, and set stones. He produces concho belts and pieces featuring kachina and village scene motifs in silver and gold. He is the brother of Maynard Talaheftewa. He has been marked for Shades of the West. He is a multiple award winner, including Best-of-Show at the 1986 Indian Market.

Source note: The source scan rendered the name without a space ("RoyTalaheftewa"); the correct name is Roy Talaheftewa.

Overlay is the foundational Hopi silverwork technique: a pierced top layer soldered onto a backing sheet, with the recessed areas oxidized dark for contrast.

The Mark

"A water bug; water bug (inside a circle, c. 1990); may be marked for Shades of the West" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).

References

Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022.

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