Sylvia Hooee — Zuni Silversmith
Zuni silversmith. Profiled in Mark Bahti’s Silver + Stone (2007).
Sylvia Hooee, a Zuni jeweler, was profiled with her husband, Ferdinand Hooee, in Mark Bahti's Silver + Stone (2007).
The Mark
Recorded mark: F S H, a mark shared with her husband, Ferdinand Hooee (Hougart (2022)).
From the Library: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
A 2007 profile, reviewed and corrected by the artists themselves before publication. Anything described as current describes 2006-2007, not today.
According to Bahti (2007, p. 52), Sylvia Hooee was born Sylvia Tsethlikai in 1958, into a family in which two siblings made petit-point jewelry and her sister Yolanda was also profiled in the book. [1]
Bahti (2007, p. 54) reported that she began silverwork in the ninth grade, learning petit-point from her parents, Juan and Lyla Tsethlikai. [1]
Sylvia Hooee told Bahti (2007) of her early work:
“We did beadwork jewelry and figures as well.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 54 [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 55), she and Ferdinand wholesaled until 1993, then joined the Zuni Cultural Arts Council, sold retail at more than a dozen shows a year, and in 1999 opened their shop, Silver Rain Jewelry. [1]
Of the first star bracelet they made, Ferdinand and Sylvia Hooee told Bahti (2007):
“Occasionally we take it out to look at it—and laugh at it”
— Bahti (2007), p. 55 [1]
Ferdinand and Sylvia Hooee told Bahti (2007):
“We never draw, or make use of, katsina designs. For us personally it is a taboo.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 55 [1]
Family in the directory: Ferdinand Hooee
Sources
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2022. Cited for the recorded hallmark.
Know more about Sylvia? Contact T.Skies.
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and is compiled from published sources, cited above. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.