Jerry Begay — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Jerry Begay's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo/Diné · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Jerry Begay is a Navajo silversmith active since the 1970s, documented in Hougart for jewelry and boxes in set stones and applique work. He is recorded as having worked at Rocking Horse (a trading-post or jewelry shop context). His marks are J B (conjoined) and J W B.
The entry is relatively brief. No birth year, award history, or detailed technique description beyond "jewelry, boxes, set stones, applique" is given.
The Begay name is among the most common in Navajo silversmithing, and Hougart documents dozens of Begay artists across all techniques and time periods. Jerry Begay should not be confused with adjacent Hougart entries including J.M. Begay (needlepoint, cluster work, buckles, Mark: J.M. BEGAY) or Jimmie Begay (1954–, shadowbox, Marks: J B; J BJ; J.B.J.).
What is known
- Nation: Navajo
- Active: since 1970s
- Techniques: jewelry; boxes; set stones; applique
- Shop association: worked at Rocking Horse
- Marks: J B (conjoined); J W B
Know more about Jerry? Let us know.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 50. "Jerry Begay (Navajo) Active since 1970s. Jewelry, boxes. Set stones; applique. Worked at Rocking Horse. Marks J B (conjoined). J W B."
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Jerry Begay told Jacka (1995, p. 112) that watching the sunrise sparkle on the first snow one morning led him to create a new finish for his jewelry. [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index explains the W in his second mark:
“JWB (Jerry Begay & Wilma Begay)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 65 [2]
According to Schaaf (2003, p. 75), Jerry Begay, a Navajo born in 1958 and living at Chinle, Arizona, as of 2003, signed with a joined italic JB or JWB and worked with his wife, Wilma Begay. He named David Barton as his teacher, served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and in the 1980s made square boxes at Rocking Horse Ranch. [2]
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.