Sam Roanhorse — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Hallmark documented in: Hougart (Hallmarks), Hougart (100 Collectible), Adair (1944), art-amerindien.com. Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Navajo/Diné · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Sam Roanhorse (1915 or 1916–1983; Navajo) was active throughout a long career. He was a student of his famous older brother, Ambrose Roanhorse. Like his brother, he changed his name from Roans to Roanhorse.
During his career, Sam Roanhorse worked for Southwest Arts and Crafts, White Hogan shop, Fred Wilson's Indian Trading Post, Miller Curio, Clay Lockets, and Zuni House (Tucson, AZ). He was a well-regarded figure in the Navajo silversmithing tradition, connected to the same institutional network his brother Ambrose helped establish.
The Hougart record notes he may be marked for Fred Wilson's Indian Trading Post or Zuni House, as well as with his personal mark.
The mark
The personal mark is recorded as SR. Work may also carry the marks of the trading posts he worked for.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Adair, John. The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1944.
- Adair, John. The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths. The Civilization of the American Indian Series. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1944. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1944.
- 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.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies. See also: Ambrose Roanhorse (brother and teacher).
From the Library: Adair, The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths (1944)
1944 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1944, not today.
Adair (1944, p. 197) listed Sam Roanhorse, beside his brother Ambrose Roanhorse, among the Navajo silversmiths of 1940. [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 203) recorded that the Navajo smith Allen Kee, at the White Hogan from 1946 to 1962, worked with Sam Roanhorse and Kenneth Begay. [2]
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.