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Unknown Maker - Native American?

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Author	Topic: Unknown Maker - Native American?
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 09-17-2000 04:56 PM These marks appear on a strange hand-wrought jelly or preserve spoon. Here are my observations: The maker's cypher appears to be a conjoined AK HAND and MADE are two separate stamps. The mark below the cypher is upside down, like the STERLING stamp. It may be a beehive, but I tend to think it may be a hogan or log hut. The handle is concave, like a gutter, curving towards the back. The front is decorated with incised lines, making the handle look like a stylized feather. The business end of the spoon is well finished and definitely resembles more conventional spoons for jam or jelly. Any ideas about this piece? The motifs and methods make me think Native American, but I may be off base. Any information would be very welcome. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-17-2000 09:22 PM The "AK" mark looks similar to one used by Ahrendt & Kautzman, Newark, New Jersey. See American Jewelry Manufacturers by D. Rainwater, page 21. I don't know about the other mark. IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 12-06-2000 11:49 AM The piece is indeed Native American. The hogan stamp is that of the White Hogan shop, which sold high quality wares of various Native American artists. Its location is Scottsdale, Arizona. The "AK" mark stands for Allan Kee, one of the better-known and more collectible artists who made wares for White Hogan. If my memory is correct, he's Navajo. Judging by your description of the design, it sounds Navajo/Modernist, so I suspect it dates from the late 1940s to the mid '50s (sometimes a date was even hand-engraved on the piece). Jewelry appears to be seen more often and seems to be more collectible than flatware, however the flatware appears to be well-made, and completely hand-made; it was probably very expensive as well as I can imagine a fair amount of work went into each piece. Note: if you look in Warman's Jewelry you will see some nice pieces of jewelry from White Hogan illustrated or described, including a couple by Kee. The prices reflect the collectibility, at least of the jewelry. IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 12-06-2000 01:07 PM Fabulous! Thank you for the ID and the additional information. Maybe you ought to browse some more of the old topics; I have posted a number of questions and have received few replies. IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 02-01-2001 10:24 AM Here is a picture of the piece in question. It does seem to integrate a Native American motif with mid-century modern design. Note the concave handle, which is unusual for flatware. IP: Logged
Willie Posts: 14 Registered: Feb 2001	posted 02-13-2001 04:42 AM My first time on the board. I have a mountain of silver queries waiting to unload on you all, but wouldn't you know, the first was one that you already gave me an answer to. More power to this forum! I have posted an image of another White Hogan item, an individual creamer I suppose. Always liked this, but had no idea what it was. IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 02-13-2001 10:26 AM Glad you found us! Feel free to post as many questions as you want! Your creamer was made by Kenneth Begay (1913-1977), another star of the White Hogan. He started making silver in the 40's, and his pieces are well-regarded. IP: Logged

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