Nathan Fred, Jr. — Hopi Silversmith
Overview
Nathan Fred, Jr. (1942–; Hopi) has been active since the 1960s, working in overlay and cast work, including silver and gold. He is the father of Julian Fred (Hopi overlay; mark: J F conjoined) and Perry Fred (Hopi overlay; marks: P F, PL co-marked with Petra Lamson) — both documented in Hougart in their own entries. Some of Nathan Fred Jr.'s work may be marked for Hopicrafts, which Wright (2003, p. 46) describes as a private business [1]. His marks are N F (conjoined) and NJ R (conjoined).
Nathan Fred, Sr. (a separate Hopi silversmith, also active since the 1960s, working in overlay) is also documented in Hougart with the marks NF (chisel cut) and NF (conjoined; may be with an arrow or a Hopicrafts mark). Sr. and Jr. are distinct individuals; mark attribution between them requires careful contextual analysis, particularly for pieces with simple NF marks.
This entry refers to Nathan Fred Jr., whose son Julian Fred is documented in the same source.
The Mark
"Nathan Fred, Jr. (1942–; Hopi). Active since 1960s. Overlay; cast work; silver, gold. Father of Julian and Perry Fred. May be marked for Hopicrafts. Marks: N F (conjoined); NJ R (conjoined)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Marks: N F (conjoined); NJ R (conjoined). Some pieces may carry Hopicrafts mark. Distinguish from Nathan Fred Sr. (NF chisel cut or NF conjoined with arrow) when attributing marks.
Family Links
- Father of Julian Fred (Hopi overlay; mark J F conjoined) — see Julian Fred
- Father of Perry Fred (Hopi overlay; marks P F, PL)
- Related: Nathan Fred, Sr. (Hopi overlay, NF marks — separate individual, both documented in Hougart)
- The Fred family is part of the broader Hopi overlay silversmithing tradition
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.
- 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 Nathan Fred Jr. or the Hopi Fred silversmithing family? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Wright, Hopi Silver (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
According to Wright (2003, p. 83), Nathan Fred, Jr., of the Greasewood clan at Bacavi, learned at Hopicrafts; he worked a short while in 1969, quit until 1973, when he started using a silvermark, and was listed as still working when the list was last revised. His row shows initial marks and a mark with an arrow dated 1975. [1]
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
“Nathan Fred, Jr. (hallmark - NF & arrow)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 155 [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 155) recorded Nathan Fred, Jr. as Hopi, born in 1942, active from 1969 in gold and silver overlay and tufacast work, living at Kykotsmovi as of 2003, the husband of Florence Fred and the father and teacher of Julian Fred and Perry Fred. [2]
Schaaf (2003) recorded how he learned:
“Nathan learned by watching Glen Lucas and others at Hopicrafts.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 155 [2]
Nathan Fred, Jr. told Schaaf (2003):
“I just love making jewelry”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 155 [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 228) listed Nathan Fred, Jr. among the students of the Hopi overlay smith Glen Lucas. [2]
Field Notes by Mateo James
Field Notes by Mateo James: Following Hougart, this page lists the NF mark with an arrow under Nathan Fred, Sr. Wright's 2003 listing shows an arrow-and-NF mark, dated 1975, in the row for Nathan Fred, Jr. I show both attributions as the books give them.
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.
I notice the books assign the NF and arrow mark differently. Our page, following Hougart, gives the arrow form to Nathan Fred, Sr., while Schaaf's 2003 entry gives NF and arrow as the hallmark of Nathan Fred, Jr. I show both as printed, which is one more reason to read an NF stamp with the piece's date and style.