Nelson Lewis
Overview
Nelson Lewis (born 1947) is a Navajo silversmith active since the 1960s — overlay, stone sets and appliqué. He is a multiple award winner.
His documented mark is N L conjoined. Other Lewis silversmiths appear in this directory, but Nelson's entry states no relation to any of them, so we record none.
The Mark
"Nelson Lewis (1947-; Navajo). Active since 1960s. Overlay; stone sets; applique. Multiple award winner. Mark: N L (conjoined)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: N L (conjoined).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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.
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
“Nelson Lewis, Sr. (stamps NL combined)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 215 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 215) recorded Nelson Lewis, Sr. as Navajo, born in 1947 and active from about 1969 in overlay and set stone jewelry and sandpaintings, a nephew of John Lewis, Effie Lewis and Howard Johns, who were his jewelry teachers, with Best of Class and Best of Division at Indian Market in 1999. [1]
Schaaf (2003) wrote that he praised his relative Howard Johns
“for being the first to do chip inlay jewelry”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 215 [1]
Schaaf (2003) added that another
“relative, Tommy Singer, later popularized the technique”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 215 [1]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice this page records no relation to other Lewis silversmiths, which is true of Hougart's entry. Schaaf's 2003 entry, under the name Nelson Lewis, Sr., names John Lewis and Effie Lewis as his uncle and aunt and as two of his teachers. Neither has a page here yet.
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.