Lester James — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark
Lester James's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Lester James is a Navajo silversmith working in tufa casting, channel inlay, mosaic inlay, cobblestone work, open-back decorations, and multi-tier constructions. His mark is "L James" in script, accompanied by the letters "SIS."
He appears in the James family cluster in Hougart alongside Leonard James (active since 1970s, bracelets and boxes with horse motifs; mark: L JAMES), Lewellen James (active since 1970s), Marcella James (active since 1990s, heavy-gauge traditional work, squash blossom necklaces, concho belts), and Ray James Jr. (active since 1970s). The shared "L James" initials among Leonard and Lester James suggest possible collector-identification challenges; Lester's full-name script mark distinguishes him.
In Motion
Meet Lester James on camera — this is T.Skies’ own footage, filmed firsthand. The feature below is “Native American Navajo name origin Aaron Anderson Navajo inlay star Lester James”.
Know more about Lester? Let us know.