Alta Sandoval — Navajo Silversmith

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# Alta Sandoval — Navajo Silversmith

Alta Sandoval (Navajo) has been active since the 1960s, working in cluster work and set stones. She is the mother of Bonnie Sandoval and Dean Sandoval, Jr. She shares the mark S with her husband Dean Sandoval, Sr. — a documented shared-mark family in Navajo silversmithing.

Dean Sandoval, Sr. is the patriarch of a significant Navajo silversmithing family line. Their children have continued in the tradition: Bonnie Sandoval (Navajo; active since 1986) uses the mark S (with STERLING), and Dean Sandoval, Jr. (Navajo) works in cluster work, stamp work, set stones, dragonfly motif, twisted rope construction, and petrified wood. Dean Jr. shares his mark with his wife Rosella Sandoval; their mark is S1 (S with superscript or variant). For the family's broader context, see Dean Sandoval.

## The Mark

> "Alta Sandoval (Navajo). Active since 1960s. Cluster work; set stones. Mother of Bonnie and Dean Sandoval, Jr. The mark is shared with husband Dean Sandoval, Sr. Mark: S" > — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), approx. p. ~25332.

Mark: S — a single-letter stamp shared with husband Dean Sandoval, Sr. One of the shorter Navajo marks documented; the family context and shared-mark note in Hougart are the key to identification.

## Family Links

• Husband: Dean Sandoval, Sr. (Navajo) — shared mark S — see Dean Sandoval
• Daughter: Bonnie Sandoval (Navajo; active since 1986) — mark S with STERLING
• Son: Dean Sandoval, Jr. (Navajo) — mark S1; shared with wife Rosella Sandoval

## References - Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022. Entry approx. p. ~25332.

Know more about Alta Sandoval or the Sandoval family Navajo silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.