Larry Joe — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Larry Joe (Navajo) is active since the 1970s and is a traditional and contemporary silversmith working in stamp work, shadowbox, polished and textured surfaces in silver and gold. He is the son of Robert Joe and the brother of Alfred Joe and Rita Joe Cordalis.
His brother Alfred Joe (1950–; Navajo) is one of the most recognized Navajo silversmiths in the Joe family — a 2001 and 2009 IACA Artist of the Year and a multiple award winner (see Alfred Joe). The siblings share common roots in the Robert Joe family lineage which has produced several accomplished Navajo silversmiths across the same generation.
The Joe family lineage — including Alfred, Larry, and Rita Joe Cordalis — represents a coherent group working in overlapping traditional and contemporary techniques, with Alfred Joe's career providing the best-documented touchstone for the family's artistic standing.
Hougart documents Larry Joe (Navajo) as active since the 1970s in traditional and contemporary work — stamp work, shadowbox, polished and textured surfaces, silver and gold. He is the son of Robert Joe and brother of Alfred Joe and Rita Joe Cordalis. Specific mark description is consistent with the Joe family initial-stamp practice.
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Know more about Larry Joe or the Joe family Navajo silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
2007 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2007, not today.
Larry Joe, who worked as a civil engineer, told Bahti (2007) silversmithing was one of his hobbies:
“I picked it up from Al when I was just getting out of high school.”
— Bahti (2007), p. 68 [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 68), Larry earned a civil engineering degree from Northern Arizona University in 1987 and, as of 2007, found a little time to silversmith beside his engineering work. [1]
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. 32) pictured a stamped butterfly pin with two Nevada turquoise stones made by Larry Joe. [2]
Sources
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- 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.
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.
Sister: Rita Joe Cordalis
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.