Joe Chee — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Overview
Joe Chee (1910–?; Navajo) is recorded by Hougart as active since the 1930s, working in nugget work, set stones, turquoise, coral and stamp work, and making bracelets and ranger buckle sets. He is the brother of Mark Chee (1914–1981), a Navajo silversmith active 1934–1942 and 1945–1970s who worked mostly in Santa Fe, at Southwest Arts & Crafts, Packard's Chaparral Trading Post and the Wooden Indian Trading Post. Mark Chee's Hougart entry calls Mark "the younger brother of Joe Chee," so Joe is the elder of the two (Hougart 2022, p. 87).
Hougart records three marks for him: J C; J. Chee; and Joe Chee (with "hee" inside the C) (Hougart 2022, p. 87).
The Mark
"Joe Chee (1910-?; Navajo). Active since 1930s. Nugget work; set stones; turquoise, coral; stamp work; bracelets; ranger buckle sets. Brother of Mark Chee. Marks: J C; J. Chee; Joe Chee (with “hee” inside the C)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 87.
Family Links
- Elder brother of Mark Chee (1914–1981; Navajo), a Santa Fe silversmith documented in Hougart (2022, p. 87)
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022. p. 87.
- 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.
Know more about Joe Chee or the Chee family Navajo silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.
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 marks:
“stamps JC or two lines Joe Chee”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 113 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 113) recorded Joe Chee as Navajo, born about 1910 at Lukachukai, Arizona, active from the 1930s into the 1970s in channel inlay, and associated with the Kirks from 1958 to 1970 and with Joe Tanner from 1970 to 1974. [1]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index shows how many makers shared the initials JC:
“JC (Joan Calavaza, Juan Calavaza, Jeffrey Castillo, John Chavez, Joe Chee, Jessie Claw, John Cly)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 99 [1]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice the books disagree about which Chee brother was older. Hougart calls Mark the younger brother of Joe, while Schaaf's 2003 entries call Joe the younger brother of Mark and Mark the elder. I show both as printed.
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.