Jerry Quintana

Biography by Mateo James

Cochiti Pueblo · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library

Jerry Quintana (1915–1995) is a Cochiti Pueblo silversmith working in a traditional style. Our reference library notes a mark-attribution complication: the mark J Q or T Q was shared with Terecita Quintana, and some experienced sources believe the mark to be for Terecita only, not Jerry. Hougart also notes that Jerry Quintana is not related to the Joe H. Quintana family — a separate Cochiti silversmithing family documented in the same source.

Mark-attribution caution: Pieces marked J Q or T Q cannot be confidently attributed to Jerry Quintana without additional provenance; Terecita Quintana may be the primary user of this mark.

Traditional Cochiti silversmithing draws on stamp work, set stones, and hand-wrought construction passed down through family and community apprenticeship.

The Mark

"J Q or T Q (the mark was shared with Terecita Quintana; some experienced sources believe the mark to be for Terecita only — not Jerry)" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).

References

Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
Turnbaugh, William A., and Sarah Peabody Turnbaugh. Indian Jewelry of the American Southwest. Foreword by Barry M. Goldwater. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2007 (copyright 1996 and 2007; first published 1988). ISBN 0-7643-2577-9. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.

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From the Library: Turnbaugh, Indian Jewelry of the American Southwest (2007)

2007 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2007, not today.

As of the late 1980s, Turnbaugh (2007, p. 67) named Jerry Quintana among the most widely known Cochiti silversmiths. ^[1]

According to Turnbaugh (2007, p. 66), Cochiti Pueblo had produced some silver and turquoise jewelry since the early 20th century, most of it bold and simple and modelled on traditional Navajo (Diné) work. ^[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.

Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.

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