Oscar Alexius — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Oscar Alexius's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo/Diné · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
About this mark
The mark shown above is photographed directly on an authenticated piece from the T.Skies gallery — this is Oscar Alexius's actual stamp, not a recreation.
Oscar Alexius is documented as a Navajo silversmith in the T.Skies hallmark reference library.
Additional biographical details are not yet confirmed for this entry.
Know more about Oscar? Collectors, family members, and researchers are invited to reach out through our contact page — verified details help us build a more complete record for every artist in the directory.
References
- T.Skies Native American Hallmarks Library — documented from the T.Skies gallery collection.
- Schiffer, Peter N. Indian Jewelry on the Market. Text and photography by Peter N. Schiffer. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1996. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1996.
- 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.
From the Library: Schiffer, Indian Jewelry on the Market (1996)
1996 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1996, not today.
In 1996 Schiffer pictured a channel-inlay set by Oscar Alexius:
“Zuni set of necklace, cuff and earrings by Oscar Alexius with pink coral, turquoise, and ivory channel inlay.”
— Schiffer (1996), p. 134 [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
In the hallmark index of his 2003 book, Schaaf listed the initials OA under a single name:
“OA (Oscar Alexius)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 54 [2]
According to Schaaf (2003, p. 59), Oscar Alexius stamped his work O.A. and also used a two-line script stamp first used in 1982. Schaaf recorded him as Navajo, born in 1949, and active from 1977 in traditional and contemporary gold and silver, stampwork and channel inlay. [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 59) wrote that by then Oscar Alexius had been a Navajo silversmith for 25 years and was best known for helping to revive traditional, old-style jewelry, singling out his stampwork. [2]
As of 2003, Schaaf (2003, p. 59) recorded that Oscar Alexius had formerly worked for Chet Jones at Zuni and was then working for Don Tanner at Shush Yaz in Gallup, and listed a 2002 Best in Category award for fabricated matched sets at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup. [2]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I want to note a difference in wording. This page records Oscar Alexius as a Navajo silversmith, while Schiffer’s 1996 caption (p. 134) calls his necklace, cuff and earrings a Zuni set. The caption may be naming a style rather than his nation, so I have left both as they are.
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.