Vernon Mansfield — Hopi Silversmith Hallmark
Vernon Mansfield and Willard Nuvayaouma were first cousins, and around 1967 Willard gave Vernon his tools and mark to use. Margaret Nickelson Wright's Hopi Silver, a register of Hopi smiths and their hallmarks, records Vernon as a member of the Sun clan from Shungopavi who learned at the Hopi Silvercraft Guild, began silverwork in 1959 and was still working when her list was compiled (Wright 2003, p. 81).
His hallmark
Wright prints two dated marks for him, labelled "Orion 1967" and "Two Feathers 1970," and notes that he had lost his mark and started using the new one in 1970. The printed drawings show three small four-armed stars in a row, and two long feathers side by side, their tips converging at the bottom (Wright 2003, p. 81).
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References
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003.
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.