Paul Saufkie — Hopi Silversmith Hallmark

Name-card placeholder — hallmark imagery to follow.

Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library

Paul Saufkie (1904–1998; Hopi) was active from the 1920s through 1993, making him one of the longest-active figures in Hopi silversmithing. His techniques included overlay, stone work, appliqué, and heavy gauge silver. His early career included silversmith work for the Fred Harvey Company at the Grand Canyon and for Vaughn's Indian Store in Phoenix, AZ.

Between 1948 and 1950 he taught silver smithing and design at Hopi, alongside fellow artist and brother-in-law Fred Kabotie, as part of the post–World War II G.I. Bill training program. Saufkie was a co-founder of the Hopi Silver Craft Guild in 1949. His early silver work was made with traditional technology, including hand buffing and home-made solder.

His sons Andrew Saufkie and Lawrence Saufkie, and his grandson Ruben Saufkie, all became documented Hopi silversmiths carrying forward the family tradition. Lawrence Saufkie's wife, Griselda Saufkie, was a 2008 SWAIA Lifetime Achievement award recipient and 1998 Arizona Indian Living Treasure. Ruben Saufkie is the son of Paul Saufkie, Jr. and grandson of Paul Saufkie.

The mark

The mark is a snow cloud rendered with three, four, or five falling snow lines. Pieces without the Hopi Guild stamp may postdate his formal Guild membership.

References

• Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022. Entry approx. p. ~25494.
• Wright, Barton. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Northland Publishing, 1989/1999. (Paul Saufkie context: Guild founding, G.I. Bill program, pp. ~2568, ~2835.)

Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies. See also: Andrew Saufkie and Ruben Saufkie (sons and grandson in the Saufkie family tradition).