Watson Honanie — Hopi Silversmith

Name-card placeholder — hallmark imagery to follow.

Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library

Watson Honanie (born 1953) is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1970s, recognized as a multiple award winner. He works in overlay jewelry, engravings, silver with gold, and miniature Kachina figures produced through lost wax casting. He is the brother of Phillip Honanie.

Overlay is the defining Hopi silversmithing technique. Watson Honanie's additional techniques — engraving and lost wax casting for miniature Kachinas — place him among the more technically versatile Hopi silversmiths documented in the Hougart record. Lost wax casting (cire perdue) allows complex three-dimensional forms not achievable by sheet fabrication alone.

The Mark

"A bear paw (with a Hopi friendship symbol; may have attached tag); WH (conjoined)" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).

Two mark forms: a bear paw pictorial stamp paired with a Hopi friendship symbol (the itdima — joined hands motif), which may appear on an attached tag; and the text mark WH in conjoined form.

References

Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022. Approx. p. ~16131.

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