Russell Lee
Overview
Russell Lee (b. 1976) is a Navajo silversmith documented in Hougart as a collaborator with his father, Clarence Lee. Clarence's own entry confirms the partnership from the other side: "Collaborated with his son Russell Lee."
Collector's caution: The mark Hougart documents for Russell is a joint one — Russell Lee and Clarence Lee together. It is likely the "rocking LE" referenced in Clarence Lee's entry. A piece carrying the collaboration mark is father-and-son work; don't attribute it to either hand alone.
The Mark
"Russell Lee (1976-; Navajo). Russell Lee collaborates with his father Clarence Lee. Mark: Russell Lee and Clarence Lee …"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The marks as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: Russell Lee and Clarence Lee (collaboration mark; likely the "rocking LE" referenced in Clarence Lee's entry).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- Baxter, Paula A., with Allison Bird-Romero. Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry: A Guide to History, People, and Terms. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 2000. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2000.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
2007 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2007, not today.
According to Bahti (2007, p. 91), Russell Lee (born 1976) began making silver as a boy of about ten or twelve, traveling to shows with his father, Clarence Lee. [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 91), as of 2007 Russell did most of the cutting of the designs for the shared Lee work, while Clarence did the stonecutting and stampwork, and Russell also made his own pieces, having acquired his own hallmark stamp about 1998. [1]
From the Library: Baxter, Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry (2000)
2000 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2000, not today.
Baxter (2000, p. 22) named Russell Lee (born 1976, Navajo) and his father Clarence Lee (born 1952, Navajo) among the artists known for their depictions of the buffalo on jewelry. [2]
Baxter (2000) recorded that Clarence Lee's son Russell (born 1976) worked with him, and that
“both artists have collaborated on such projects as an elaborate, award-winning windmill-topped container, and pickup-truck-inspired imagery.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 99 [2]
Baxter (2000) listed their awards to that date:
“Their work has won awards at the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial and Heard Museum Guild fair (both awards in 1994), and they exhibit regularly at the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts and Crafts shows and the SWAIA Indian Market.”
— Baxter (2000), p. 99 [2]
Baxter (2000) singled out the Lees' storytelling designs as a distinctive design identity:
“Clarence Lee’s (b. 1952) and Russell Lee’s (b. 1976) story genre vignettes from Navajo country life”
— Baxter (2000), p. 118 [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.