Richard S. Begay — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark
Richard S. Begay's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
The mark
Hougart documents this artist as Richard S. Begay (1943-; Navajo):
The wife Rita Begay is documented separately in Hougart as: "Rita Begay (Navajo). Channel work; stamp work; cabochons. The stamps are shared with her husband Richard Bega[y]." Her mark includes the shared RB stamps.
Schaaf also documents Richard S. Begay — listed in the index alongside Sam Begay, Nelson Begay, Steven Begay, Victor Begay, Russell A.N. Begay, and others.
What is known
- Born: 1943
- Techniques: channel inlay, mosaic inlay, stamp work, cabochons
- Mark: RB (stamped; R is sometimes larger than B; dated example from 1993)
- Stamps shared with wife Rita Begay (also Navajo; same mark set)
- Still active as of Hougart 5th ed. publication (listed as "1943-")
- Wife: Rita Begay (Navajo; shared stamps — attribution caution)
No entry found in Adair 1944, Rosnek 1976, or Dubin sources.
Know more about Richard? Let us know.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. 54.
- 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.
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.
These are an outside writer’s records from 1995 and the artists’ own words as she recorded them; the Diné themselves are the authority on their own beliefs and practices.
A 1995 caption in Jacka's book:
“Richard and Rita Begay work together in combining a variety of stones with scenes which often include traditional Navajo lifestyle.”
— Jacka (1995), p. 98 [1]
Richard Begay told Jacka (1995, p. 114) that bears were one of the four animals given to the First People, provided for protection and guidance and to ward off evil, and that corn, a gift from the Creator, represents life to the Navajo. [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) credited him with two innovations:
“He was perhaps the first to do "double layered inlay" and inlaid "storyteller" bracelets.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 78 [2]
Schaaf (2003, p. 78) recorded Richard S. Begay as born in 1943 at Piñon, Arizona, stamping R B and working with his wife, Rita Begay, and listed his work in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution and the Heard Museum. [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.