A Bernard Dawahoya Hopi Pueblo silver link pictorial belt
Bernard Dawahoya (c. 1935-c. 2011, Second Mesa)
Mid/late 20th century
Each concho stamped with artist's snow cloud cipher
A sterling silver overlay link belt with oval conchos designed with various figural motifs including birds, antelope, rabbits, antelope, sheep, bear, spider, butterfly, lizard, and frog
Belt: 44.25" L; Each concho: 1.5" H x 2" W
343.0 grams

Other Notes: Master silversmith Bernard Dawahoya was born in 1935 in the Second Mesa village of Shungopavi. A member of the Snow Clan, his Hopi name is Masaqueva, which means Wings of the Sun" or "Little Sun."
A master of many traditional Hopi arts he focused on silversmithing in the 1950s learning from his uncles Washington Talayumptewa and Sidney Sekakuku and taking classes at the Hopi Silver Craft Cooperative Guild.
Bernard returned to Shungopavi opened his own shop and continued to exhibit at arts and craft shows. His pieces are known for their precise texturing heavyweight silver crisp designs and bold traditional symbols that reflect Hopi history culture and beliefs including Mudheads Hopi Snake Dancer Crow Mother eagles and roadrunners. As well as his skills with silver overlay he created textiles paintings Katsina dolls and leatherwork. "He recorded traditional Hopi dance songs in 2004 and was known as a prolific storyteller regaling admirers with the stories behind his designs. His creations are included in the collection at Harvard University's Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology as well as various other museums and many private collections. In 1998 he was designated an Arizona Living Treasure and enjoyed that distinction until his passing in 2011."
Source: Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery; www.medicinemangallery.com "Bernard Dawahoya (1933-2011, Hopi Pueblo)Overall good condition with light tarnishing, light scratches and wear commensurate with age and use. Lacking joining loop to one end. Tests for sterling. Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.

Overall good condition with light tarnishing, light scratches and wear commensurate with age and use. Lacking joining loop to one end. Tests for sterling.