Howard Nelson
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios), art-amerindien.com. Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Overview
Howard Nelson (born 1951) is a Navajo silversmith active since the 1970s, working traditional or contemporary styles — appliqué overlay and fabricated work in silver and gold.
He received a 1994 SWAIA Fellowship and is a multiple award winner. His documented marks: Howard Nelson Stg. Silver; Howard in script; and HOWARD. Several Nelson-family silversmiths appear in this directory, but Howard's entry states no relation to any of them, so we record none.
The Mark
"Howard Nelson (1951-; Navajo). Active since 1970s. Traditional or contemporary; applique overlay; fabricated silver, gold. 1994 SWAIA Fellowship. Multiple award winner. Marks: Howard Nelson Stg. Silver; Howard (script, HOWARD)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: Howard Nelson Stg. Silver; Howard (script); HOWARD.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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.
- 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: Bassman, The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry (1997)
1997 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1997, not today.
Bassman (1997) pictured a gold ring of his:
“Overlay and stamped gold ring with flower design made by Howard Nelson.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 51 [1]
Bassman (1997) pictured a set of his:
“Stamped bola tie and belt buckle set with stones of black onyx, made by Howard Nelson.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 57 [1]
Bassman (1997) pictured a set of his:
“Overlay and textured bola tie and belt buckle set, each having a Morenci turquoise stone made by Howard Nelson.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 62 [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 244) recorded Howard Nelson as Navajo, born in 1951 at Winslow, active from the 1970s in traditional and contemporary gold and silver, fabricated, wire set, appliqué, overlay and inlay work and 1930s-style revival jewelry, with a 1994 SWAIA Fellowship, the 1985 American Federation of Arts traveling exhibit, and his work in the American Can Company Foundation collection. [2]
Schaaf (2003) quoted the dealer Gene Waddell:
“Howard began working with his older brother, David, and eventually mastered the techniques of”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 244 [2]
Schaaf (2003) noted that
“Ralph Coe collected one of Howard Nelson's bracelets”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 244 [2]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice this page records no family ties, which is true of Hougart's entry. Schaaf's 2003 register names David Nelson as the older brother he began working with, and says he is related to Mildred and Peter Nelson, and Peter's own entry says the same. I show Schaaf's account beside ours.
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.