Julian Arviso — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Julian Arviso — Navajo Silversmith
Julian Arviso (1959–; Navajo) works in traditional and contemporary jewelry, including channel inlay, mosaic work, silver, and some gold. He is part of the Arviso silversmithing family — one of the documented multi-member Navajo silversmithing families in Hougart, which includes Paul Arviso, Floyd Arviso, and Wil Paul Arviso among others.
Floyd Arviso (Navajo; active 1960s–?) uses the mark FA. Paul Arviso (Navajo) is separately documented. Wil Paul Arviso (1964–; Navajo; active since 1980s) is a sculptor and silversmith who owns Arviso Southwest Fine Arts and has collaborated with inlay artist Jason Emerson; his marks include WIL PAUL and WA. For the related family profiles documented in the directory, see Paul Arviso and Floyd Arviso.
The Mark
"Julian Arviso (1959–; Navajo). Traditional and contemporary jewelry; channel inlay; mosaic work; silver; some gold"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Family Links
- Part of the Arviso family silversmithing group (Navajo)
- Related: Paul Arviso — see Paul Arviso
- Related: Floyd Arviso (Navajo) — mark FA — see Floyd Arviso
- Related: Mike Arviso — see Mike Arviso
Know more about Julian Arviso or the Arviso family Navajo silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry (1997)
1997 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1997, not today.
Bassman (1997, p. 20) pictured a mosaic inlay link bracelet of angel coral, sugilite and turquoise, its stones set by Wilbert Muskett, Jr., with silverwork by Julian Arviso. [1]
Bassman (1997, p. 42) pictured 14-karat gold link bracelets and rings in channel and mosaic inlay made by Julian Arviso, set with China Mountain and Sleeping Beauty turquoise, coral, opal, lapis lazuli and jet. [1]
Bassman (1997) also pictured a gold pendant of his:
“Mosaic inlay reversible pendant of bear and sun face made with white shell, coral, sugilite, and turquoise strung on an eight-strand coral necklace.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 46 [1]
Bassman (1997) pictured more of his gold work:
“Gold bracelet and ring of channel inlay with lapis lazuli and red and pink coral, made by Julian Arviso.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 54 [1]
From the Library: Schiffer, Indian Jewelry on the Market (1996)
1996 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1996, not today.
In 1996 Schiffer pictured a channel-inlay cuff by Julian Arviso:
“Two wonderful Zuni inlay bracelets: one of duck design by Sensa Eustace and a cuff half set with channel multi-stone inlay by Julian Arviso.”
— Schiffer (1996), p. 109 [2]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 63) recorded Julian Arviso as Navajo, born about 1960 and active from about 1975 in traditional and contemporary mosaic and channel inlay in gold and silver, then living near the Manuelito Chapter House in New Mexico, with awards from the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup and the New Mexico State Fair. [4]
According to Schaaf (2003, p. 63), in a 1995 profile he wrote for Americana Indian Shows, Julian Arviso said he was 35 and had been a silver- and goldsmith for about 20 years; he first worked only in silver in the traditional Navajo style, and over the previous ten years mostly in 12-karat gold, including diamond settings, using only natural stones. [4]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I want to note a difference in wording. This page records Julian Arviso as Navajo, while Schiffer’s 1996 caption (p. 109) groups his cuff under “two wonderful Zuni inlay bracelets.” That may describe the inlay style rather than his nation, so I have left both as they are.
Sources
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1997. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1997.
- Schiffer, Peter N. Indian Jewelry on the Market. Text and photography by Peter N. Schiffer. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1996. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1996.
- 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.