Ivan Kee — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Ivan Kee (1936–1982; Navajo) was active from the 1940s until his death in 1982. He worked in cast and nugget work, jewelry, and hollowware. Ivan Kee was the brother of Allen Kee and George Kee, and the husband of Inez Kee. He was also the father of Edith Kee. During his career he worked at the White Hogan and for the Atkinson Trading Company — two of the major Southwestern retail venues that supported skilled Navajo silversmiths in the mid-twentieth century.
His wife Inez Kee (Navajo) shares the stamp with her husband. Their daughter Edith Kee (Navajo) was active since the late 1960s and worked in stamp work, various stones, pins, and crosses with marks E K; E; and K (sometimes).
For the broader Kee family tradition, see also Allen Kee (brother) and Anthony (Elmer) Kee (family).
"Ivan Kee (1936-1982; Navajo). Active 1940s-1982. Cast and nugget work; jewelry; hollowware. Brother of Allen and George Kee, and husband of Inez Kee. Father of Edith Kee. Worked at the White Hogan and for the Atkinson Trading" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The primary mark is I. KEE — an initial-and-surname stamp combining his first initial with the Kee family surname. His wife Inez Kee shares a I K stamp (their initials read as a shared household mark).
Know more about Ivan Kee or the Kee 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. 204) recorded Ivan Kee as Navajo, of Steamboat Springs, active from about the 1940s into the 1980s in sandcast jewelry, silver boxes and leatherwork, a brother of Allen and George Kee and husband of Inez Kee, a smith first for the White Hogan and later for Atkinson Trading Co., with his work in the Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe. [1]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice the books disagree on when Ivan was born. This page, following Hougart, gives 1936, which would make him a child when his work began in the 1940s, while Schaaf's 2003 entry gives a lifespan from about 1920. I show both as printed.
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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.