Jerry Nelson — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios), art-amerindien.com. Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Jerry Nelson (born 1959) is a Navajo silversmith active since 1989, working in inlay with lapis and appliqué techniques. He is the brother of Gilbert Nelson, a Navajo silversmith also documented in the T.Skies directory.
Inlay involves setting precisely cut stones or shell into recessed areas of silver. Lapis lazuli — a deep blue metamorphic rock prized in Southwestern jewelry — is among the stones associated with his work. Appliqué involves attaching decorative silver elements to a base piece.
The Mark
"J N (conjoined and symbols); Jerry Nelson"
— 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) recorded his mark:
“Jerry Nelson (stamped initials joined and offset with symbol)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 244 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 244) recorded Jerry Nelson as Navajo, born in 1959 at Keams Canyon and living at Canoncito as of 2003, active from 1989 in heavy stampwork, channel inlay and silver jewelry, a brother of Gilbert Nelson, taught by his uncle, with a prize for channel inlay matched sets at the 2002 Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup. [1]
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.