Native American Jewelry Hallmarks & Maker Marks: Identify Your Silversmith

Wright (2003) dated when Hopi marking took hold:

“Hallmarks became widely used on Hopi silver during the veterans' classes in 1949.”
— Wright (2003), p. 69 ^[1]

According to Wright (2003, p. 69), a few older Hopi smiths marked their silver in the 1930s, Mrs. Colton of the Museum of Northern Arizona urged them to do so in her letter of 1939, and in 1938 the Indian Arts and Crafts Board authorized a 'U.S. Hopi' stamp, though Wright doubted many items were marked with it. ^[1]

According to Wright (2003, p. 69), silver made under Hopi Silvercraft Guild auspices carried the Guild's sun symbol as well as the smith's own mark, but because a smith might also make and sell silver on his own while working for the Guild, pieces from the same period can carry both marks or the smith's mark alone. ^[1]

According to Wright (2003, p. 69), Hopicrafts workers at first marked their silver with the firm's symbol only, apart from a few special pieces; later some smiths regularly stamped their own initials on Hopicrafts pieces as well. ^[1]

Wright (2003) explained what most Hopi marks are:

“In the majority of instances, the marks used by the silversmiths are symbols of their clans.”
— Wright (2003), p. 69 ^[1]

According to Wright (2003, p. 71), because related clans 'go together,' a symbol from any clan in the group could serve as a smith's own clan symbol; in at least one case a father's clan symbol was used, other smiths picked a mark for no obvious reason, and a mark could be reused: Vernon Mansfield used Willard Nuvayauoma's feather mark, but doubled it. ^[1]

According to Wright (2003, p. 72), many early Hopi smiths have no recorded hallmark because the practice did not begin until the 1930s, and (p. 72) many smiths were known by several names, so one maker may appear under more than one name. ^[1]

According to Wright (2003, p. 73), a smith's listing may name several villages because a Hopi man customarily moved to his wife's village when he married. ^[1]

Wright (2003) cautioned readers of her hallmark list:

“Simply because a person is listed does not mean that he is, or was, a professional silversmith.”
— Wright (2003), p. 71 ^[1]

Lois Essary Jacka, writing in 1995, on the 1970s:

“It was a time when it became important to buyers to know the name of the person who made each piece of jewelry. Some jewelers had for years marked their work with hallmarks or initials, but it now became common practice to sign one's jewelry.”
— Jacka (1995), p. 36 ^[2]

According to Baxter (2000, p. 66), hallmarks were introduced to Native jewelers as early as the 1940s, but most did not start using them until the 1970s. ^[3]

Baxter (2000) also warned:

“Forged hallmarks come to light from time to time, however, and the authenticity of some signed pieces has also come into question on occasion.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 67 ^[3]

As of 2000, Baxter noted:

“Hallmarks are a requirement for works sold at the SWAIA Indian Market, the Heard Guild Fair, and other important Indian arts venues.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 67 ^[3]