Tim Yazzie — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark

Biography by Mateo James

Hallmark of Tim Yazzie (Navajo) — photographed by T.Skies Additional hallmark of Tim Yazzie — photographed by T.Skies

Tim Yazzie's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.

Navajo · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library

Tim Yazzie is a silversmith listed in Hougart 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

Yazzie's documented repertoire is unusually wide: stamp work, set stones, turquoise, coral, inlay, cobblestone inlay, wood, overlay, and shadowbox. This range suggests a versatile bench worker capable of adapting to different market demands and aesthetic traditions. The inclusion of cobblestone inlay and shadowbox alongside overlay indicates familiarity with both the Zuni-adjacent inlay traditions and the Navajo overlay styles associated with the mid-twentieth century renaissance. The use of wood is less common and marks him as willing to work outside strictly precious materials.

Schaaf Index

Schaaf 1200 Bios lists two Tim Yazzie entries (designated Tim Yazzie and Tim Yazzie (2)) in the index at approximately pages 333–334 of that volume. The source scan of Schaaf at those pages is navigational frame data only; no biographical text is recoverable. The two listings may indicate two distinct artists of the same name, or may reflect the same person with two different stamps.

The mark

Marks: TY (letters may be misaligned or stacked); turquoise, coral, and stone size are also noted in Hougart's entry as identifying characteristics (Hougart 5e, p. 347). The source scan of the marks section is partially corrupted but "TY" is the clear primary mark.

What is known

Hougart provides: San Felipe / Santo Domingo / Navajo affiliation, active since 1970s, wide technique range (stamp work, set stones, inlay, cobblestone, wood, overlay, shadowbox), mark TY. 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; inlay; cobblestone; wood; overlay; shadowbox. Marks: TY (letters may be misaligned or stacked)"
  • Schaaf, Gregory. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies. Two index listings (Tim Yazzie; Tim Yazzie (2)), pp. 333–334; no biographical text recoverable from source scan.