Willard Nuvayaouma — Hopi Silversmith Hallmark

Willard Nuvayaouma learned silversmithing at the Hopi Silvercraft Guild, and around 1967 gave his tools and mark to his first cousin, Vernon Mansfield. Margaret Nickelson Wright's Hopi Silver, a register of Hopi smiths and their hallmarks, records him as a member of the Sun clan from Shungopavi who began silverwork in 1959, and notes that he had done no silverwork for some time before his death in 1969 (Wright 2003, p. 81).

His hallmark

Wright labels his mark "Feather." The printed drawing shows a single long upright feather tapering to a point at the bottom, with a small divided tuft at the top (Wright 2003, p. 81).

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References

  1. 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.