Alvin & Lula Begay — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark

Biography by Mateo James

Hallmark of Alvin & Lula Begay (Navajo) — photographed by T.Skies

Alvin & Lula Begay's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.

Alvin and Lula Begay are a Navajo husband-and-wife silversmithing team who share a hallmark, working in contemporary jewelry with channel inlay, overlay, and applique techniques. Both are documented as multiple award winners.

The mark

"Alvin Begay (1950–; Navajo). Contemporary jewelry; channel inlay; overlay; reversible jewelry; applique. Shares the mark with Lula Begay. Multiple award winner. Mark: Alvin (script; inside a feather)" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 44. "Lula Begay (1954–; Navajo). Contemporary; channel inlay. Shares the mark with her husband Alvin Begay. [Mark: Alvin (script; inside a feather)]" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 51.

What is known

Alvin and Lula Begay work collaboratively and use a single shared stamp, a practice documented across several Navajo silversmithing couples in Hougart. Alvin is specifically noted as a multiple award winner. Both entries confirm channel inlay as a defining technique; Alvin's entry additionally cites overlay and applique work.

No separate entries for Alvin or Lula Begay appear in Adair 1944, Rosnek & Stacey 1976, Bedinger 1973, or Schaaf 2003 (Schaaf lists multiple Begay family members but not this specific couple).

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References

  • Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), pp. 44, 51.

This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and compiled from published references. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.