Ramon Platero — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Overview
Ramon Platero (Navajo) has been active since the 1950s, working in cast work, jewelry, nugget sets, figural designs, and spinner bracelets. He and his wife Louise Platero both worked for Carl Luthey's shop, The Navajo Hogan — so some pieces may also carry The Navajo Hogan shop mark. He is the brother of Dan Platero and the uncle of Don Platero. His mark is R. Platero (personalized letters, sometimes with HANDMADE and the Navajo Hogan "stick figure" hallmark).
Louise Platero (his wife; active since 1960s) worked in traditional nugget and cluster work, watch cuffs, rings, and reversible necklaces; her mark is L Platero or L. Platero (personalized letters), sometimes with HANDMADE.
The Mark
"Ramon Platero (Navajo). Active since 1950s. Cast work; jewelry, nugget sets; figural; spinner bracelets. He and his wife Louise Platero worked for Carl Luthey's shop, The Navajo Hogan. Brother of Dan Platero and uncle of Don Platero. Some pieces may also be marked for The Navajo Hogan. Mark: R. Platero (personalized letters, sometimes with HANDMADE [and] Navajo Hogan 'stick figure' hallmark)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
Mark: R. Platero (personalized letters). Attribution note: pieces with the "stick figure" Navajo Hogan hallmark alongside R. Platero represent his shop-marked work for Carl Luthey's Navajo Hogan trading post.
Family Links
- Brother of Dan Platero (Navajo) — see Dan Platero
- Uncle of Don Platero (Navajo) — see Don Platero
- Husband of Louise Platero (Navajo; active since 1960s; mark L Platero)
- Part of the extended Platero Navajo silversmithing family
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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.
Know more about Ramon Platero or the Navajo Platero silversmithing family? Contact T.Skies.
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 rotating bracelet by Ramon Platero:
“A Navajo rotating bracelet with turquoise on one side and coral on the other side by Ramon Platero.”
— Schiffer (1996), p. 109 [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 256) recorded Ramone Platero as Navajo, working in silver leaf jewelry from before 1974, living in Albuquerque, a son of Pablo Platero, younger brother of Dan Platero and husband of Louise Platero, and a smith in Albuquerque shops. [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.