Boyd Tsosie — Navajo/Diné Silversmith & Hallmark
Boyd Tsosie (born 1954) is a Navajo silversmith active since the 1970s. He works in a contemporary style, employing tufa casting, flower-and-leaf appliqué, inlay, inset work, and gold accents. The Hougart record notes that Tsosie studied with Kenneth Begay, one of the most celebrated Navajo silversmiths of the twentieth century.
Tsosie is the younger brother of fellow silversmith Richard Tsosie. His work spans traditional and contemporary registers, with the use of gold accents alongside silver placing him among Navajo artists who expanded beyond the strictly silver traditions of earlier generations.
Flower-and-leaf appliqué involves fabricating thin silver sheet into floral and botanical forms and soldering them onto the base piece, a decorative technique associated with several Navajo smiths active from the mid-twentieth century onward.
The Mark
"A cloud (above a B); Tsosie (stylized script, since 1985)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
See also: Kenneth Begay (mentor; Tsosie studied under him, per Hougart).
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From the Library: Schiffer, Turquoise Jewelry (2008)
2008 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2008, not today.
Schiffer (2008, p. 41) illustrated a ring with an ovoid Indian Mountain turquoise in a leaf cast setting by Boyd Tsosie, Navajo. [1]
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry (1997)
1997 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1997, not today.
Bassman (1997) pictured an inlaid bracelet by him:
“Inlaid with turquoise, lapis lazuli, salmon, angel and oxblood coral, made by Boyd Tsosie.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 19 [2]
Bassman (1997, p. 30) pictured two pendants by Boyd Tsosie set with Chinese turquoise: one in beveled, mosaic and channel inlay in a silver incised-line shadow box, strung on square-cut silver beads by Eddie Aguilar (Santo Domingo), and one in a stamped shadow box on silver beads. [2]
Bassman (1997) pictured one of his gold rings:
“14-karat gold ring inlaid with oxblood coral, sugilite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, Australian opal, and gold circles, made by Boyd Tsosie.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 53 [2]
Bassman (1997, p. 53) also pictured two of his 14-karat gold inlaid rings finished with gold leaves and floral appliqué. [2]
From the Library: Jacka, Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone (1995)
1995 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1995, not today.
Lois Essary Jacka, writing in 1995:
“Richard Tsosie started out by helping his brother, Boyd, with polishing and buffing.”
— Jacka (1995), p. 92 [3]
From the Library: June, Fred Harvey Jewelry 1900–1955 (2013)
2013 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2013, not today.
June (2013) used Boyd Tsosie as his example of fine component work:
“By the 1970s, talented silver artisans, like Boyd Tsosie, were soldering together dozens of micro-sized handmade floral components.”
— June (2013), p. 137 [5]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“Boyd Tsosie (stamps with cloud symbol with the letter B; since 1985 has used a stylized stamp of Tsosie)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 312 [6]
Schaaf (2003) wrote:
“In 1970, Boyd Tsosie learned jewelry making from Kenneth Begay at Navajo Community College”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 312 [6]
Schaaf (2003, p. 312) recorded a second prize for a silver necklace at Indian Market in 1976. [6]
Sources
- Schiffer, Nancy N. Turquoise Jewelry. Revised 4th ed. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2008. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2008.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1997. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1997.
- Jacka, Lois Essary. Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone. Photographs by Jerry Jacka. Flagstaff: Northland Publishing, 1995. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1995.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- June, Dennis. Fred Harvey Jewelry 1900–1955. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2013. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2013.
- 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.
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. © Turquoise Skies Inc.