Biography by Mateo James

Name-card placeholder — hallmark imagery to follow

Rita Begay — Navajo Silversmith

Overview

Rita Begay (Navajo) works in channel work, stamp work, and cabochons. She shares stamps with her husband Richard S. Begay (Richard Begay), and Richard S. Begay's entry in the directory notes that "stamps shared with Rita Begay" — this is the documented co-marking arrangement consistent with Navajo husband-and-wife silversmithing pairs.

Hougart documents Rita Begay, directly following the Richard T. Begay entry and cross-referencing the shared-stamp arrangement with Richard (S.) Begay. Her Hougart entry is brief, primarily establishing the shared-stamp relationship and her techniques.

**Stamp-attribution caution:** When Richard S. Begay and Rita Begay shared stamps appear on a piece, attribution to one individual versus the other requires contextual evidence (design, period, provenance). Neither artist's individual production can be assumed from the shared mark alone without additional supporting information.

The Mark

"Rita Begay (Navajo). Channel work; stamp work, cabochons. The stamps are shared with her husband Richard Bega[y]"
— Hougart, Bille. *Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks*, 5th ed. (2022).

Shared mark(s) with Richard S. Begay — see Richard S. Begay for the full mark documentation.

Family Links

• Wife of Richard S. Begay (Navajo) — shared stamps — see Richard S. Begay
• Part of the extended Begay Navajo silversmithing lineage

References

• Hougart, Bille. *Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks*, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022.

Know more about Rita Begay or Navajo channel and stamp work silversmithing? Contact T.Skies.