Frank Peshlakai — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Hallmark documented in: Hougart (Hallmarks), Schaaf (1200 Bios), Hougart (100 Collectible). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Frank Peshlakai — Navajo Silversmith
Frank Peshlakai (1903–1965; Navajo) was active until 1965, working in the traditional style: jewelry and flatware with stamp work and set stones. He was the younger brother and student of Fred Peshlakai (see Fred Peshlakai), and he worked in various locations including in Los Angeles with his brother.
The Peshlakai brothers represent one of the significant multi-generational family lines in Navajo silversmithing. Frank's style and construction were very similar to his brother Fred's, which creates an important attribution challenge (see The Marks section below).
The Marks
"Frank Peshlakai (1903-1965; Navajo). Active ?-1965. Traditional; jewelry, flat ware. Stamp work; set stones. Younger brother and student of Fred Peshlakai. He worked in various locations including in Los Angeles with his brother. Marks: FRANK PESHLAKAI or F. PESHLAKAI (chisel cut); F. P. (rounded or (perhaps) squared P). Note: Both Frank and brother Fred Peshlakai used F. P. marks on their work. Because they produced work very similar in style and construction, assigning [a piece] to [ei]ther brother [is] highly speculative and requires careful research."
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Attribution caution: Both Frank Peshlakai and his brother Fred Peshlakai used "F. P." marks. Because their work was very similar in style and construction, assigning a piece marked F. P. to either brother is highly speculative and requires careful research. Full name marks (FRANK PESHLAKAI or F. PESHLAKAI) are more definitive.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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 Frank Peshlakai or the Peshlakai family silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 253) recorded Frank Peshlakai as Navajo, active from before 1916 into the 1960s in traditional silver jewelry and living in Gallup, stamping FP inside a left-pointing arrow or just the initials F.P. [1]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives FP to four makers:
“FP (Frank Patania, Sr., Frank Peshlakai, Fred Peshlakai, Freddie Platero)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 250 [1]
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.