Jerry Cowboy — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Jerry Cowboy's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo/Diné · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Jerry Cowboy is a Navajo silversmith born in 1957, documented in Hougart for nugget sets, stamp work, channel inlay, jewelry, bracelets, and money clips. He is part of a documented Navajo silversmithing family: his siblings are Ella Cowboy (stamp work, shadowbox, stone sets) and Annie Cowboy (flatware, jewelry) — and a fourth sibling, referred to in Hougart only as "A. Cowboy," who also worked in flatware and jewelry.
The Cowboy family represents a multi-member Navajo silversmithing cluster active across overlapping specialties. Jerry's range spans traditional nugget work to channel inlay and functional forms (bracelets, money clips).
What is known
- Nation: Navajo
- Born: 1957
- Techniques: nugget sets; stamp work; channel inlay; bracelets; money clips
- Siblings: Ella Cowboy, Annie Cowboy, and A. Cowboy (all Navajo silversmiths)
- Marks: J. Cowboy (cowboy hat over J); C; J. COWBOY
Know more about Jerry? Let us know.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 97. "Jerry Cowboy (1957–; Navajo). Nugget sets; stamp work; channel inlay; jewelry; bracelets; money clips. Marks: J. Cowboy (with a cowboy hat over the J); C; J. COWBOY."
- 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: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index lists Jerry Cowboy among six makers who used a plain C:
“C (Carl Begay, Ric Charlie, Sadie Cody, Jerry Cowboy, Chalmers Day, Cecil Nez)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 99 [1]
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.