Tim Yazzie — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark
A T. YAZZIE stamp, photographed by T.Skies. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Tim Yazzie is a silversmith listed in Hougart (2022, p. 347) with combined San Felipe, Santo Domingo, and Navajo affiliation, active since the 1970s. He works across a broad range of techniques and styles.
The Work
Hougart (2022, p. 347) lists his work as "Stamp work; set stones; turquoise, coral; channel inlay; cobble stone; wood; overlay; shadowbox."
Two Tim Yazzies
Schaaf (2003, p. 332) prints two Tim Yazzies. Tim (1), a Navajo smith active before 1975, stamped TY, occasionally misaligned; that matches the mark and era Hougart gives, so this page follows him. Tim (2), Navajo/Isleta, born 1968 and working in overlay and mosaic from 1988, is a different smith.
The two books give this smith different affiliations. Hougart (2022, p. 347) lists Tim Yazzie as San Felipe/Santo Domingo/Navajo; Schaaf (2003, p. 332) lists Tim Yazzie (1) as Navajo. Each is shown as its book prints it; we have not chosen between them.
The mark
Hougart (2022, p. 347) gives two marks: "T Y (letters may be misaligned or stacked); T. Yazzie (stylized)." The stamp photographed above reads T. YAZZIE.
What is known
Hougart provides: San Felipe / Santo Domingo / Navajo affiliation, active since 1970s, wide technique range (stamp work, set stones, channel inlay, cobble stone, wood, overlay, shadowbox), marks TY and T. Yazzie (stylized). No birth year or award history recorded.
Know more about Tim? Let us know.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed., p. 347 (printed): "Tim Yazzie (San Felipe/ Santo Domingo/ Navajo). Active since 1970s. Stamp work; set stones; turquoise, coral; channel inlay; cobble stone; wood; overlay; shadowbox. Marks: T Y (letters may be misaligned or stacked); T. Yazzie (stylized)"
- Schaaf, Gregory. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies. Tim Yazzie (1) and Tim Yazzie (2), p. 332.
- 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: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered Tim Yazzie (1) as
“Tim Yazzie (1), (stamps TY, occasionally misaligned)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 332 [1]
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.