Watson Honanie — Hopi Silversmith
Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library
Watson Honanie (born 1953) is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1970s, recognized as a multiple award winner. He works in overlay jewelry, engravings, silver with gold, and miniature Kachina figures produced through lost wax casting. He is the brother of Phillip Honanie.
Overlay is the defining Hopi silversmithing technique. Watson Honanie's additional techniques — engraving and lost wax casting for miniature Kachinas — place him among the more technically versatile Hopi silversmiths documented in the Hougart record. Lost wax casting (cire perdue) allows complex three-dimensional forms not achievable by sheet fabrication alone.
The Mark
Two mark forms: a bear paw pictorial stamp paired with a Hopi friendship symbol (the itdima — joined hands motif), which may appear on an attached tag; and the text mark WH in conjoined form.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003. Originally published by Northland Publishing. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1993. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1993.
- 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: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
2007 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2007, not today.
According to Bahti (2007, p. 153), Hopi silversmith Elmer Satala Jr. apprenticed with his uncle Watson Honanie beginning in 1996, describing Honanie as an experienced and well-regarded silver- and goldsmith who taught him to high-polish his work rather than satin-finish it with steel wool, and to plan his cutting so the design fits the piece. [1]
As Elmer Satala Jr. told Bahti (2007) of his uncle's teaching:
“And besides skills, he taught me patience.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 153 [1]
From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 58), as of the 2003 edition Watson, brother of Phillip Honani, was a full-time smith specializing in gold work, with designs ranging from a whole field of corn or an entire village to a textured bear. [2]
According to Wright (2003, p. 87), Watson Honanie, of the Bear clan at Shungopavi, began silverwork in 1973, learned from his brother Phillip, and was still working when the listing was last revised; Wright labels his mark 'Bear Paw'. [2]
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Bassman (1993, p. 48) pictured gold-on-silver work made in 1992 by Watson Honanie, including sun-face earrings, a pendant of a bear and bear paw, and a pendant and earrings of a bear with a heart line. [3]
On a page headed 'All 14-Carat Gold on Silver,' Bassman (1993, p. 52) pictured six bracelets made in 1992 by Watson Honanie, with deer, eagles, buffalo, big horn sheep and bear, and village scenes. [3]
Bassman (1993, p. 48) also pictured 1992 gold-on-silver earrings and pendants by Watson Honanie of katsina figures she named Crow Mother, Salako and Kokopelli. [3]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 179) recorded Watson Honanie as Hopi, born in 1953 at Grand Canyon and active from 1973 in gold and silver overlay, taught by his brother Phillip Honanie and the Hopi Silvercraft Guild, and raised partly by his uncles Fred Kabotie and Porter Timeche, who gave him silver scraps from the Guild. [4]
According to Schaaf (2003, p. 179), Bruce McGee, then manager of McGee's Indian Art at Keams Canyon, encouraged him around 1985 to make gold and silver overlay jewelry. [4]
Schaaf (2003) recorded that
“In 1993, his gold concha belt won Best of Class and Best of Division at Indian Market”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 179 [4]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives WH to him alone:
“WH (Watson Honanie)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 169 [4]
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.