Allen Pooyouma Hopi Silver Overlay Earrings [SOLD]

These silver overlay earrings made by Hopi Pueblo artist Allen Pooyouma are leaf-like in shape and weight.  Easy to wear, the organic cutout shapes of the silver overlay offer a peek at the textured base behind it.  Post style— the earrings lightly dangle from silver balls and feature swirls, rectangles, and maybe even kiva step cutouts making them both prototypical and free-spirited.  

The earrings are signed with the artist’s hallmark, a stamped ear of corn, and with conjoined letters, HC.  Presented in this way, the HC refers to Hopi Crafts.  Formerly known as Hopi Enterprises, Hopi Crafts was started by brothers Wayne and Emory Sekaquaptewa operating on Second Mesa between 1962-1983—providing a further genesis and date range for these earrings (pg. 153, Hougart).  

Allen Pooyouma (1922-2014) began his silver work around 1937 and retired around 1970 making him one of the earliest Hopi silversmiths. He worked many of his professional years in Tucson with master goldsmith Morris Talawytewa Robinson and Ralph Tawangyaouma. Allen Pooyouma is known for silver ingot, hand wrought, heavy stampwork and twist wire jewelry set with high quality, natural turquoise.

Condition: some slight patina is evident, and these earrings are in excellent condition. 

Provenance: these Allen Pooyouma Hopi Silver Overlay Earrings are from a private collection

Reference: The Little Book of Marks on Southwestern Silver, by Bille Hougart. 

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, jewelry, Allen Pooyouma, Hopi Pueblo Artisan