Francis James — Navajo Silversmith
Francis James is a caster. Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as "Francis James (Navajo)," active since the 1970s, and writes: "He is a caster who carves his own stone mold" (Hougart 2022, p. 154).
He works with Della James, and the books credit their pieces together. Theda Bassman's The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry shows their squash blossom necklaces with cast najas from the 1960s (Bassman 1997, p. 15), and a silver cast bracelet from the 1970s that "won First Prize at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1979" (Bassman 1997, p. 17). Joseph Stacey's Turquoise Blue Book and Indian Jewelry Digest shows a squash blossom in 14K gold with Persian turquoise "by Mr. and Mrs. Francis James" (Stacey 1975, p. 40).
His hallmark
Hougart gives the mark he shares with his wife, Della James, as "J F (conjoined)" (Hougart 2022, pp. 153–154). Fred James, listed directly below him, marks "FRED JAMES"; the two are different smiths (Hougart 2022, p. 154).
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References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1997.
- Stacey, Joseph, ed. Turquoise Blue Book and Indian Jewelry Digest. Arizona Highways Collectors Series. Phoenix: Arizona Highways, 1975.
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.