Gibson Nez
Overview
Gibson Nez (1947–2007) was a Jicarilla Apache/Navajo artist active from the 1970s until his death — cast and overlay combinations, stamp work, channel inlay, set stones and repoussé in silver and gold, with various stones including ammonite. He was a multiple award winner.
An ex-bronco rider and stunt man, Nez considered himself a leather worker rather than a silversmith, and per our reference books he combined contemporary with traditional in his silver craft. He was the brother of Kee Nez, whose own entry confirms it: "Brother of Al and Gibson Nez." His documented marks: G ZN, one form with a sans-serif Z.
Collector's caution: Hougart adds a note that Gibson Nez's stamp "mimics a …". Read a G ZN stamp together with the work itself rather than on the letters alone.
The Mark
"Gibson Nez (1947-2007; Jicarilla Apache/Navajo). Active 1970s-2007. Cast and overlay combinations; stamp work; channel inlay; set stones; repousse; silver, gold. Various stones; ammonite. An ex-bronco rider and stunt man, Nez considered himself a leather worker rather than a silversmith. Gibson Nez combined "… with traditional" in his silver craft. Multiple award winner. Marks: G ZN (one has "Z" sans serif); the stamp mimics a …"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: G ZN (one has "Z" sans serif); our reference library adds that the stamp "mimics a …".
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- Schiffer, Nancy N. Turquoise Jewelry. Revised 4th ed. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2008. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2008.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1997. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1997.
- Jacka, Lois Essary. Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone. Photographs by Jerry Jacka. Flagstaff: Northland Publishing, 1995. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1995.
- Baxter, Paula A., with Allison Bird-Romero. Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry: A Guide to History, People, and Terms. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 2000. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2000.
- 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: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
2007 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2007, not today.
Speaking to Bahti (2007), Gibson Nez described how he learned:
“I used to go to galleries and study other people's work and see how it was made. That was my education.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 128 [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 128), Nez began working silver full-time in 1976, after Sammy Saavedra showed him how to work silver and solder; his first jewelry competition, the 1977 New Mexico State Fair, brought a first prize for a buckle and bola tie set, and his work appeared in the 1979 Arizona Highways collector's edition. [1]
Bahti (2007, p. 128) records that Nez bought Stormy Mountain, Blue Diamond, Nevada Blue and Lone Mountain spiderweb turquoise when he was starting out, and describes good stone, clean work, heavy-gauge silver and all-handmade findings as the backbone of his work. His favored motifs included a stepped design from Jicarilla baskets and a Navajo sun design, with inlay along the edges of his pieces from the early 1980s. [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 129), Nez used a hallmark from the start, based on his mother's cattle brand, and registered it as a trademark with the state of New Mexico as a precaution against imitators. Bahti also names Jake Livingston as a silversmith who traveled with and mentored him early in his career. [1]
From the Library: Schiffer, Turquoise Jewelry (2008)
2008 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2008, not today.
Schiffer (2008, p. 38) illustrated two silver bracelets by Gibson Nez, circa 1980s: a wide band with a round Chinese turquoise stone and a cut-out band set with Bisbee turquoise. [2]
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry (1997)
1997 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1997, not today.
Bassman (1997) pictured a bracelet by him:
“Channel and mosaic inlay with lapis lazuli, turquoise, sugilite, and angel and oxblood coral made by Gibson Nez.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 19 [3]
From the Library: Jacka, Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone (1995)
1995 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1995, not today.
Al Joe told Jacka in 1995 how Gibson Nez changed his work:
“Then Gibson Nez told me, "Your work is nice. Why don't you stop that production work and make some good jewelry?"”
— Jacka (1995), p. 39 [4]
From the Library: Baxter, Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry (2000)
2000 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2000, not today.
Baxter (2000) listed him among the artists acclaimed for gold jewelry in the 1980s and 1990s:
“Navajo artists James Little, Jesse Monongye (b. 1952), and Gibson Nez (b. 1944, Apache/Navajo)”
— Baxter (2000), p. 62 [5]
According to Baxter (2000, p. 120), Gibson Nez was born in 1944 and was of Apache/Navajo heritage. [5]
Baxter (2000) opened her entry on him:
“A self-taught jeweler, Nez’s work is prized because, while it is reminiscent of “classic” era Navajo silverwork, it possesses a strong, contemporary design feeling.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 120 [5]
Baxter (2000) recorded his awards up to 1999:
“A veteran of the Indian cowboy circuit, where he achieved important recognition for his riding, Nez’s belt buckles and ranger sets have won him many awards, including “best of show” at the Heard Museum Guild Fair and the Santa Fe Indian Market.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 121 [5]
As of 2000, Baxter (2000, p. 164) named Gibson Nez, whom she gave as born in 1944 and Apache/Navajo, among the Southwest's jewelers of note, known for his innovative silver, gold, and semiprecious stone pieces. [5]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 205) wrote that Gibson Nez encouraged the Isleta/Navajo jeweler Andy Lee Kirk to start making jewelry, and named him among the influences on Andy's brother Michael Kirk. [6]
Schaaf (2003) wrote of the Kiowa jeweler Brian K. McCurtain:
“His two-year apprenticeship with Dené master Gibson Nez prepared Brian for a great career.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 234 [6]
Schaaf (2003) recorded his mark:
“Gibson Nez (stamped GZN with enlarged Z)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 246 [6]
Schaaf (2003, p. 246) recorded Gibson Nez as Navajo/Jicarilla Apache, active from about 1976 in gold, silver, stampwork, mosaic and set stone jewelry and leatherwork, a brother of Al Nez and Kee Nez, with Best of Division for contemporary gold at Indian Market in 1980. [6]
Schaaf (2003) wrote that
“He credits his greatest influences to be Jessie Monongya and Ben Nighthorse”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 246 [6]
Schaaf (2003, p. 246) added that he had also worked for thirty years as a heavy equipment operator, stunt man and bronco rider, and was in the Cowboy Hall of Fame as of 2003. [6]
Field Notes by Mateo James
Our page gives 1947 for Gibson's birth. Baxter's 2000 encyclopedia prints 1944 (p. 62). I've shown both years until another record settles it.
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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.