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Julian Lovato — Kewa Silversmith

Overview

Julian Lovato (c.1925–2018; Kewa Pueblo) was one of the defining masters of Kewa silversmithing — active from the 1930s until his death in 2018. He worked in silver and gold, specializing in set stones (turquoise, coral), file work, and the refined "Patania style" he mastered under Frank Patania at the Thunderbird Shop in Santa Fe, NM, where he began working in 1952. After Patania's death in 1964, his widow Aurora gave the Thunderbird Shop's iconic right-facing thunderbird stamp to Lovato — who then used it alongside his own mark from 1964 to 2018.

As a youth, Lovato did lapidary work at Maisel's in Albuquerque. Some of his early work may be stamped for Packard's shop in Santa Fe, where he worked before returning to Kewa Pueblo. He was also a 2002 SWAIA Lifetime Achievement Award winner and a multiple SWAIA award winner overall. He collaborated closely with his wife, Marie Lovato, who used the mark M. LOVATO (with the right-facing thunderbird stamp and IHM), sometimes on an attached tag.

He is one of the most thoroughly documented Kewa silversmiths in Hougart, with a richly sourced entry at approximately line 20093.

The Mark

"Julian Lovato (c.1925–2018; Kewa). Active since 1930s. Silver, gold. Set stones; turquoise, coral; file work. Julian Lovato did lapidary work as a youth at Maisel's in Albuquerque. In 1952, he began working at Frank Patania's Thunderbird Shop, where he became a master of the 'Patania style.' After Patania's death his widow, Aurora, gave the thunderbird stamp to Lovato. May be stamped for Packard's shop in Santa Fe, NM, where he worked before returning to the Kewa Pueblo. Collaborated with his wife Marie Lovato. 2002 SWAIA Lifetime Achievement Award. Multiple award winner. Marks: J. LOVATO (and IHM, Indian Hand Made; plus Patania's right-facing thunderbird stamp: 2 mm wide, 1964–2018)"
— Hougart, Bille. *Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks*, 5th ed. (2022), approx. p. ~20093.

Primary mark: **J. LOVATO** (with IHM — Indian Hand Made). Also: Patania's right-facing thunderbird stamp (2 mm wide), used from 1964–2018 after Aurora Patania transferred the stamp.

Family Links

• Collaborated with wife Marie Lovato (mark: M. LOVATO with thunderbird + IHM)
• Part of the Kewa/Santo Domingo Lovato silversmithing lineage — Homer Lovato, Nathan Lovato (son of Mary C. and Sedalio Fidel Lovato), and others active in the same pueblo tradition
• Cross-reference: Frank Patania's Thunderbird Shop connection — see the Ed Lovato family lineage note

References

• Hougart, Bille. *Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks*, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022. Entry approx. p. ~20093.

Know more about Julian Lovato or Kewa Pueblo silversmithing? Contact T.Skies.