Don Platero — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark
Don Platero's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Don Platero is a Navajo silversmith born in 1954, known for cast work, letter openers, and flatware. He is the son of Dan Platero, himself a well-documented Navajo silversmith who was the brother of Ramon Platero. Don Platero's achievement at the 1996 Intertribal Indian Ceremonial — where he won first prize for flatware — stands as a notable recorded honor, situating him within the tradition of exhibition-quality craft that has long defined Gallup's Ceremonial competition.
The Platero family represents a documented silversmithing lineage. Dan Platero (Don's father) married Agnes Platero and was the brother of Ramon Platero, whose wife Louise Platero worked for Carl Luthey's shop, The Navajo Hogan.
The mark
Per Hougart: "DON M. PLATERO; Don Platero (with or without NAVAJO, in at least two script versions)."
What is known
- Born 1954; Navajo
- Specialties: cast work; letter openers; flatware
- Won first prize for flatware at the 1996 Intertribal Indian Ceremonial
- Son of Dan Platero; nephew of Ramon Platero
- Marks: DON M. PLATERO; Don Platero (with or without NAVAJO, in at least two script versions)
- Uncle: Ramon Platero (Navajo; cast work; brother of Dan Platero)
No additional biographical detail, active period end date, or museum collection references were found beyond Hougart.
Know more about Don? Let us know.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 249. "Don Platero (1954-; Navajo). Cast work; letter openers; flatware. First prize for flatware at the 1996 Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial. Son of Dan Platero. Marks: DON M. PLATERO; Don Platero (with or without NAVAJO, in at least two script versions)." Family context also p. 249 (Dan Platero, Ramon Platero entries).