Allen Pooyouma Hopi sterling silver Horse/raincloud coral/turquoise belt buckle

Allen Pooyouma Hopi sterling silver Horse/raincloud coral/turquoise belt buckle. Tested and guaranteed solid sterling silver. Weight and measurements in pictures, circa third quarter of the 20th century. Fits a 1.5″ belt.

Hopi Pueblo artist Allen Pooyouma 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.

Allen Pooyouma (1922-2014) signed with his 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 Pooyouma was born in Hootvilla, Arizona, and learned silversmithing from his father at age 15. His uncle was the renowned Hopi master Ralph Tawangyawma. During World War II, he continued making jewelry on the reservation due to poor eyesight. In the mid-1940s, he moved to Tucson to work with his uncle, where he refined his techniques.