Alex Sanchez — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark

Biography by Mateo James

Hallmark of Alex Sanchez (Navajo) — photographed by T.Skies

Alex Sanchez's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.

Alex Sanchez is a silversmith of Navajo and Zuni descent, born in 1969 and active since approximately 2000. He works across a broad range of contemporary techniques and is notable for his figural and petroglyph-influenced work, as well as his role as the father of fellow silversmith Summer Sanchez.

The mark

"Alex Sanchez (1969–; Navajo/Zuni). Active since 2000. Jewelry; figural statues; petroglyph design elements; set stones; stamp work; textured surfaces; hand-cut design elements; applique; silver, gold. Father of Summer Sanchez. Mark: Alex Sanchez (with or without a bear symbol); [shared stamp with] Myron Panteah." — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 277.

What is known

Alex Sanchez works in multiple media (silver and gold) and across styles from traditional stamp work to contemporary figural sculpture with petroglyph motifs. The collaboration with Myron Panteah is documented in the mark record. His daughter Summer Sanchez has also entered the silversmithing tradition. No award history or exhibition record for Alex Sanchez is noted in Hougart or in Adair 1944, Rosnek & Stacey 1976, Bedinger 1973, or Schaaf 2003.

Know more about Alex Sanchez? Let us know.

References

  • Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 277.
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