Fernando Benally — Navajo Silversmith
Fernando Benally is a Navajo jeweler in silver and gold who came up young: Gregory Schaaf's American Indian Jewelry I lists him as Navajo, born 1975, active from about 1989 in traditional and contemporary gold and silver, set stones, stampwork, appliqué and mosaic, and names his teachers as Ernest Benally and Chester Benally (Schaaf 2003, p. 81). Ernest Benally's own entry names him as a student (Schaaf 2003, p. 81).
Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as working in a contemporary style with symbolism, in stamp work, set stones and channel inlay, in silver and gold (Hougart 2022, p. 57). As of 2003, Schaaf recorded a third place at Rez Art in Scottsdale in 1998 and a first at the Tulsa Art Festival in 2001, and Yeibichai as his favorite design (Schaaf 2003, p. 81). He told Schaaf: "I feel all people have an artistic side" (as quoted in Schaaf 2003, p. 81).
His hallmark
Hougart gives his mark as F Benally, in script (Hougart 2022, p. 57).
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References
- 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.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
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.