Julian Fred — Hopi Silversmith
Hallmark documented in: Hougart, Schaaf (1200 Bios), Wright (Hopi Silver). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Hopi · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library
Julian Fred is a Hopi silversmith active since the 1990s, working in overlay. He is the brother of Perry Fred and the son of Nathan Fred, Jr.
His father Nathan Fred, Jr. (born 1942; Hopi) is separately documented in the Hougart record: active since the 1960s in overlay and cast work, silver and gold, possibly marked for Hopicrafts. Nathan Fred, Jr.'s marks include N F (conjoined) and NJ R (conjoined).
Source note: The name order is Julian Fred — given name Julian, surname Fred — confirmed explicitly in the Hougart entry text.
Overlay is the defining Hopi silversmithing technique, in which a design is cut through a top sheet of silver and soldered onto a darkened backing sheet, creating a two-tone relief effect closely associated with the Hopi Guild tradition.
The Mark
The mark J F has the initials chopped and conjoined — a characteristic Hopi mark style in which letterforms share strokes.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003. Originally published by Northland Publishing. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1993. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1993.
- 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.
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From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 104), Julian Fred, of the Fog clan at Shungopavi, began silverwork in 1991 and worked with his brother Perry; Wright lists him as a son of Nathan Fred, Jr., and labels his mark 'Initials'. [1]
Wright (2003, p. 99) lists his brother Perry Fred, also of the Fog clan at Shungopavi, as beginning in 1988 after learning at the Guild, with a recorded death year of 1999, and notes that when Perry and Petra Lamson both worked on a piece they used combined initials. [1]
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry (1993)
1993 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1993, not today.
Bassman (1993, p. 30) pictured two rings with water symbols by Julian Fred, on a tray of rings all made in 1992. [2]
Bassman (1993, p. 41) pictured a key ring with a bear paw made in 1992 by Julian Fred. [2]
Bassman (1993, p. 46) pictured a bracelet with a pottery design made in 1992 by Julian Fred. [2]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“Julian Fred (signs JF)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 155 [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 155) recorded Julian Fred as a Hopi silver overlay jeweler at Shungopavi, active from 1991, a son of Nathan Fred, Jr. and brother of Caroline Fred, Perry Fred and Sidney Sahneyah, with his work at Alph Secakuku's Hopi Fine Arts on Second Mesa as of 2003. [3]
Schaaf (2003, p. 152) listed Julian Fred among seven makers given the initials JF in the hallmark index. [3]
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.