Califreda Roanhorse-Bowling — Navajo Silversmith
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Califreda Roanhorse-Bowling (Navajo) works in nugget sets and cluster work. She is the daughter of Henry Roanhorse (see Henry Roanhorse) and Louise Roanhorse (see Louise Roanhorse).
Califreda Roanhorse-Bowling uses her late father's stamp — ROANHORSE — which was first used by Henry Roanhorse and shared with his wife Louise Roanhorse during their lifetimes. Henry Roanhorse (1937–c.2005; Navajo) was active since the 1970s and was known for classic nugget work. Louise Roanhorse (1940–1999; Navajo) also worked in classic nugget work and shared the stamp with her husband. Upon Henry Roanhorse's death, the stamp passed to Califreda as the continuing family user.
Attribution caution: The ROANHORSE stamp is a family mark used across three makers — Henry, Louise, and now Califreda Roanhorse-Bowling. Dating and attribution of individual pieces requires examination of other contextual markers. The stamp itself does not distinguish which family member produced a specific piece.
Note: The well-known Ambrose Roanhorse lineage is a separate branch. Do not conflate the C B ROANHORSE / ROANHORSE mark of this Henry Roanhorse family with works by Ambrose Roanhorse (see Ambrose Roanhorse).
"Califreda Roanhorse-Bowling (Navajo). Nugget sets; cluster work. Daughter of Henry Roanhorse. Uses her late father's stamp. Marks: C B ROANHORSE" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), approx. p. ~24752.
The mark is C B ROANHORSE — Califreda Bowling Roanhorse, the full name initial sequence. This mark identifies her work specifically (as distinct from the plain ROANHORSE shared stamp used by Henry and Louise during their lifetimes).
Know more about Califreda Roanhorse-Bowling or the Roanhorse silversmithing family? Contact T.Skies.