Gilbert Nelson — Navajo/Diné Silversmith & Hallmark
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Gilbert Nelson (born 1960) is a Navajo silversmith specializing in mosaic inlay work. The Hougart hallmark reference documents him with a birth year and identifies him as the brother of fellow silversmith Jerry Nelson.
Mosaic inlay is a technique associated with both Navajo and Pueblo silversmiths and involves setting cut stones or shell in precise geometric or figural patterns. No additional biographical details, active period, or training history appear in the available source record.
The Mark
"Gilbert Nelson (script)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 243) recorded Gilbert Nelson as Navajo, born in 1960 at Keams Canyon and living at Canoncito as of 2003, active from 1988 in silver stampwork jewelry, murals, paintings, drawings, beadwork and wood carving, a brother of Jerry Nelson, taught by his cousin, with his work at Silver Sun in Santa Fe. [1]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice this page said nothing more was known of his career. Schaaf's 2003 entry dates his work from 1988, names his teacher as his cousin, and describes him as working in stampwork, murals and painting, where Hougart, followed here, calls him a mosaic inlay specialist. I show both.
Sources
- 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.
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.