Alvin Yellowhorse
Overview
Alvin Yellowhorse (born 1968) is a Navajo channel-inlay artist active since the 1980s, working silver and gold. Per our reference books he learned the silversmith trade from his father and has become a masterful artisan of channel-inlaid jewelry, with petroglyph and figural designs.
He is the nephew of Artie and Gloria Yellowhorse — Artie Yellowhorse's own entry confirms it, naming Alvin among her nephews. Our reference library also records some collaboration with Darryl Dean Begay.
The Mark
"Alvin Yellowhorse (1968-; Navajo). Active since 1980s. Channel inlay; silver, gold. Alvin Yellowhorse learned the silversmith trade from his father and has become a masterful artisan of channel inlaid jewelry. Petroglyph and figural designs. Nephew of Artie and Gloria Yellowhorse. Some collaboration with Darryl Dean Begay. Marks: Alvin"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: Alvin ….
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Schaaf, Gregory, with Angie Yan Schaaf. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies, ca. 1800-present. American Indian Art Series, Vol. 5. Santa Fe: CIAC Press, 2003. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 308) named Alvin Yellowhorse as a student of the Navajo jeweler Ray Tracey. [1]
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“Alvin Yellowhorse (signs Alvin Yellowhorse, with a horse hallmark)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 333 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 333) recorded Alvin Yellowhorse as Navajo, born in 1968, active from about 1988 in contemporary channel inlay gold and silver jewelry, and named Ray Tracey as his teacher. [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 333) listed first prizes for necklaces, for gold pins, pendants, earrings and rings, and for buckles, ketohs and bolos at Indian Market in Santa Fe in 2000. [1]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice the books name different teachers. Hougart (2022) says he learned the silversmith trade from his father, while Schaaf (2003, p. 308) lists him among the students of Ray Tracey. I show both as printed.
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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.