Jimmy Herald — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Jimmy Herald is a Navajo silversmith working in the classic style, using file work, set stones, rings, bracelets, and watch tips. He worked as a bench smith at Frank Patania's Thunderbird Shop for many years of a career that ran from 1938 to about 1975 (Hougart 2020, p. 37) — a significant workshop context, as Patania's Thunderbird Shop in Santa Fe was one of the influential training grounds for mid-century Southwestern silver work.
He is the father of Jimmy Herald, Jr., who also became a Navajo silversmith and worked at Frank Patania's Thunderbird Shop, continuing the family tradition. Jimmy Herald, Jr.'s style is described as modern; his mark uses the same JH conjoined initials with the addition of a "J" for "junior."
The Mark
""J H (conjoined)" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022)."
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Father and son share the JH conjoined base mark. Jimmy Herald, Jr.'s mark is additionally documented as "J HJ conjoined" — the second J denoting his junior status.
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From the Library: Manley, Collecting Southwestern Indian Arts & Crafts (1979)
1979 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1979, not today.
According to Manley (1979, p. 37), the piece was a squash blossom necklace designed by Frank Patania and inspired by Navajo styles. [1]
The same 1979 caption in Ray Manley's Collecting Southwestern Indian Arts & Crafts dated the stone and named the maker:
“There is a pleasing balance between silver and the soft-toned Morenci turquoise (ca 1950). Crafted by Jimmie Herald, Navajo.”
— Manley (1979), p. 37 [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 gives JH to four makers:
“JH (James Harrison, Jim Harrison, Jimmy Herald, Gerald Honwytewa)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 169 [3]
Sources
- Manley, Ray. Ray Manley's Collecting Southwestern Indian Arts & Crafts. Text by Clara Lee Tanner and others; photography by Naurice Koonce, Ray Manley and Alan Manley. Tucson: Ray Manley Photography, 1979. Includes Clara Lee Tanner, "Southwest Indian Silverwork," pp. 39–41. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1979.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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. © Turquoise Skies Inc.