Silas Ohmsatte
Overview
Silas Ohmsatte (born 1939) was a Zuni smith active from the 1970s into the 1990s. Hougart prints his death year as "199?" — the decade is documented, the year is not, and we won't guess it. His documented work is inlay in silver and gold, with flowers, birds, and other animals as recurring subjects.
He worked alongside his wife Berdie Ohmsatte, sharing most of his stamps with her. Their son Emery Ohmsatte is a documented smith in his own right.
Collector's caution: Silas Ohmsatte shared most of his stamps with his wife, Berdie Ohmsatte — including the S & B marks. A shared stamp cannot tell you which of the two made a given piece; read the mark together with the work's technique (his entry records inlay, hers mosaic inlay) and hold single-name attributions loosely. Berdie's page carries the same caution.
The Mark
"Silas Ohmsatte (1939-199?; Zuni). Active 1970s-199? Inlay; silver, gold; flowers, birds and other animals. Silas Ohmsatte shared most of the stamps with his wife Berdie Ohmsatte. Marks: S & B (and a symbol above); S & B OHMSATTE; S & B"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The marks as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: S & B (and a symbol above); S & B OHMSATTE; S & B; Silas O. (script) — most shared with his wife Berdie Ohmsatte.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) recorded his marks:
“(stamps S & B, hallmark arc & *; S & B OHMSATTE, Silas O.)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 249 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 249) recorded Silas Ohmsatte as Zuni, active from before 1976 into the 1990s in gold, silver and raised mosaic inlay jewelry, the husband of Bertie Ohmsatte and father of Emery Ohmsatte, with Best of Division for concha belts at Indian Market in 1991. [1]
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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.