Is this a real hallmark for a Native American piece I’m looking at? If so does anyone know what artist made it?
^The website’s Leonard Gene attribution is wrong, and the workmanship doesn’t remotely match. Geronimo Trading Post probably is the right clue to its origins.
@Freebirds This isn’t early, nor is it coin silver.
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Hello @Freebirds, welcome to the forum.
I have a few thoughts.
Do you know if the silver has been tested? There exist linear transfer marks on the interior of the band that would support the idea that this was made from rolled or milled sterling sheet, and not hand forged coin silver.
Some food for thought; everyone has their own interpretations on what defines “early”. Regardless of the specifics, early works are not hallmarked. One of the earliest known Navajo silversmiths to hallmark their work was Etsitty Tsosie, and he was working in the 1930’s.
This cuff looks to be a rather poorly executed imitation of the infamous Calavaza’s of Zuni: husband and wife team Juan (1910-1970) and Effie (1927-2019). Juan C. was the nephew of Dan Simplicio (1917-1969), a very renowned and highly collectible silversmith. The work of the Calavazas and Simplicios is so well known and sought after that it has attracted countless individuals to plagiarize their original designs.
Concerning the cuff you’re eyeing, the widely spaced peaks of the bezels, the stamp work design and placement, and especially the snake, look to me to be directly influenced by elements that the aforementioned smiths individually utilized to execute cohesive, unique, and identifiable original voices.
All of that said, the hallmark on this cuff has no correlation to these Zuni masters, and shores up the thought that your cuff is an imitation.
Dan Simplicio
Juan Calavaza, ca. 1950’s
Effie Calavaza
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