George Phillips
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios), Wright (Hopi Silver). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library
George Phillips (born 1959) is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1980s, working in overlay. He is the brother of Loren Phillips (1954–2001) and Roderick Phillips.
The Phillips brothers form a Hopi overlay family documented together in Hougart 5e. Loren Phillips' marks include a rabbit stick and a conjoined L P; he may also carry a Hopi Guild mark. George and Roderick are noted alongside Loren as siblings in the same entry.
Hopi overlay is a two-layer silverwork technique: a top sheet of silver pierced with designs is soldered onto a backing sheet, with the background oxidized to black to create contrast.
The Mark
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003. Originally published by Northland Publishing. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1993. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1993.
- 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: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 101), George Phillips, of the Saltbush clan at Oraibi, began silverwork in 1989 and learned at the Guild; Wright lists him as a brother of Loren Phillips. [1]
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Bassman (1993, p. 37) pictured a butterfly pendant made in 1992 by George Phillips. [2]
Bassman (1993, p. 45) pictured a belt buckle with a whirlwind design made in 1992 by George Phillips. [2]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“George Phillips (hallmark - broken arrow, GP)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 255 [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 255) recorded George Phillips as Hopi, born in 1959, active from about 1989 in silver overlay, educated at Sherman Indian School in Riverside, California, and taught by his brother Loren Phillips and at the Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild on Second Mesa. [3]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives GP to three makers:
“GP (Grant Pawiki, George Phillips, Gilbert Pino)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 250 [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 289) named George Phillips and the Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild as the teachers of the Hopi overlay smith Darren Silas of First Mesa. [3]
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.