Clarence Lee
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios), art-amerindien.com. Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Overview
Clarence Lee (1952–2011) was a Navajo silversmith active from the 1970s until his death — cast work, appliqué and overlay in silver and gold, sculptural animal pins, and storyteller jewelry with some whimsical designs. He was a multiple award winner.
He collaborated with his son Russell Lee. His marks: a 'rocking' LE, and Clarence Lee in script accompanied by a small 'rocking' LE, used since 1989.
The Mark
"Clarence Lee (1952-2011; Navajo). Active 1970s-2011. Cast work; applique; overlay; silver, gold; sculptural; animal pins; storyteller jewelry, some whimsical designs. Collaborated with his son Russell Lee. Multiple award winner. Marks: "Rocking" LE; Clarence Lee (script, and a small "rocking" LE, since 1989)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: "Rocking" LE; Clarence Lee (script, and a small "rocking" LE, since 1989).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- Baxter, Paula A., with Allison Bird-Romero. Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry: A Guide to History, People, and Terms. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 2000. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2000.
- 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: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
2007 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2007, not today.
According to Bahti (2007, p. 88), Clarence Lee was born in 1952 in Fort Defiance, Arizona; his father, Tom Lee, was also a silversmith, who took up silver jewelry to supplement the income of the trading post he ran at Twin Lakes, and Clarence helped sell his father's jewelry while in high school. [1]
Speaking to Bahti (2007), Clarence Lee recalled that his first silverwork was traditional hammered and stamped work set with stones:
“I did that for maybe eight months. Then I kind of fell over backwards into that storyteller style.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 90 [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 90), his first competitive show was the 1977 Navajo Fair, where his work took a first-place ribbon. [1]
On his hallmark, Clarence Lee told Bahti (2007):
“I started signing, using an engraver at the beginning, using my family's registered brand stamp, Rocking Lee”
— Bahti (2007), p. 90 [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 90), using the family brand as his mark was his father's idea, and Clarence added his signature to it about 1988-89. [1]
As Clarence Lee told Bahti (2007), after a first truck piece shown at the Gallup Ceremonial drew attention (including a buyer from the British Museum):
“The truck pin with everybody in back is kind of our signature piece, as is the truck bracelet.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 91 [1]
From the Library: Baxter, Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry (2000)
2000 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2000, not today.
Baxter (2000, p. 22) named Clarence Lee (born 1952, Navajo) and his son Russell Lee (born 1976, Navajo) among the artists known for their depictions of the buffalo on jewelry. [2]
Baxter (2000) dated and described his storyteller subjects:
“Lee’s subject matter, conceptualized around 1973, features Navajo country life, with figures in traditional and cowboy dress; activities centered around hogans, social dances, and sheepherding; animals such as balky goats; and even pickup trucks.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 99 [2]
According to Baxter (2000, p. 99), Lee used lost-wax and tufa casting with handmade stamps and dies, favored appliqué, and began working in gold around 1980, combining it with copper, sterling silver and stones such as turquoise, coral or jet. [2]
In her 2000 encyclopedia, Baxter wrote of story jewelry:
“Three contemporary artists who have gathered acclaim for their story imagery on jewelry are Vidal Aragon (Santo Domingo), Clarence Lee (b. 1952; Navajo), and Thomas (Tommy) Singer (Navajo).”
— Baxter (2000), p. 168 [2]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 144) listed Clarence Lee among four makers given the initials LE in the hallmark index, with Linberg Billah, Linda Eustace and Ernest C. Lister. [3]
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“Clarence Lee (stamps & engraved CCL, rocking LE, Clarence Lee)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 212 [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 212) recorded Clarence Lee as Navajo, active from about 1970, living at Twin Lakes as of 2003, a son of Tom Lee and Emma Lee and father of Russell Lee, with a George West Memorial Award for excellence in silver jewelry in 1983 and his work in the British Museum. [3]
Schaaf (2003) wrote:
“He is best known for his overlay designs of Navajo social life.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 213 [3]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives CCL to him alone:
“CCL (Clarence Lee)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 208 [3]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice Schaaf's 2003 entry is less certain of his birth year than this page. Bahti and Hougart give 1952, while Schaaf prints about 1952 or 1955. I show both.
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.