Lula Begay — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Navajo/Diné · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Lula Begay (1954–; Navajo) is a contemporary silversmith working primarily in channel inlay. She shares her mark with her husband Alvin Begay (1950–; Navajo), who also works in channel inlay, overlay, and reverse-work jewelry. The Hougart record documents them as a silversmithing couple sharing a collaborative mark.
No additional biographical details, active period end date, or institutional affiliations appear in the available source record beyond the basic entry.
The mark
No separate mark is described for Lula Begay independently. The Hougart entry notes she shares the mark with her husband Alvin Begay; the shared mark is documented under the Alvin and Lula Begay couple entry.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Jacka, Lois Essary. Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone. Photographs by Jerry Jacka. Flagstaff: Northland Publishing, 1995. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1995.
- 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 this artist? Contact T.Skies. See also: Alvin & Lula Begay (couple page with shared mark).
From the Library: Jacka, Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone (1995)
1995 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1995, not today.
Lois Essary Jacka, writing in 1995:
“Although Lula's parents were silversmiths, and she is the niece of two noted jewelers, Tommy Singer and Betty Betoney, she didn't learn to work silver until Alvin began teaching her in 1991.”
— Jacka (1995), p. 98 [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) described the mark she shares with her husband:
“signs with eagle feather symbol with Alvin's name in lower case script”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 77 [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 77) recorded Lula Begay as Navajo, born in 1954 and active from about 1991 in contemporary silver mosaic and channel inlay and lapidary work, with storytellers, hogans and Navajo figures as her favorite designs. [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 333) recorded the Navajo traditional jeweler Etta Yellowhair, born about 1930 and active from about the 1950s, as the wife of Nez Lewis and the mother of Lula Begay. [2]
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.