Tommy Jackson — Navajo/Diné Silversmith
Navajo (Diné) silversmith. Profiled in Mark Bahti’s Silver + Stone (2007).
Tommy Jackson, a Navajo silversmith and the eldest son of Gene and Martha Jackson, was profiled with his family in Mark Bahti's Silver + Stone (2007).
The Mark
Recorded mark: TJ; JACKSON ©; and Jackson in script, sometimes in a diamond or fish shape (Hougart (2022)).
From the Library: Bahti, Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers (2007)
A 2007 profile, reviewed and corrected by the artists themselves before publication. Anything described as current describes 2006-2007, not today.
According to Bahti (2007, p. 59), Tommy Jackson, born in 1958, was the eldest son of Gene and Martha Jackson and learned silversmithing from his parents. [1]
Tommy Jackson told Bahti (2007):
“I started when I was about twenty,”
— Bahti (2007), p. 59 [1]
Bahti (2007, p. 60) reported that after teaching, including a silversmithing class at Tohatchi, he went full-time into jewelry. [1]
He told Bahti (2007) where he learned inlay, about 1985-86:
“I started with Gary Gordon at his place, BG Mudd in Gallup, where I picked up inlay,”
— Bahti (2007), p. 60 [1]
According to Bahti (2007, p. 60), he later turned to the old style of hammer, file, chisel and stampwork, including concha belts around 2000, while his inlay drew on ivory, shell, sugilite, malachite, alabaster, lapis lazuli and jet among other materials. [1]
Family in the directory: Gene Jackson · Martha Jackson
From the Library: Bassman, The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry (1997)
1997 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1997, not today.
Bassman (1997) pictured a bracelet by him:
“Beveled mosaic inlay of sugilite stones made by Tommy Jackson.”
— Bassman (1997), p. 21 [3]
Bassman (1997, p. 23) also pictured a necklace of silver beads with a mosaic and channel inlay pendant of coral and turquoise, with a matching bracelet, by Tommy Jackson. [3]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) recorded his signature:
“(signs T. Jackson inside terraced diamond; T Jackson)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 189 [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 189) recorded Tommy Jackson as Navajo, born in 1958 and active from 1973, a son of Gene and Martha Jackson and nephew of Dan Jackson, educated at Chinle High School, a schoolteacher by career, and a regular at Indian Market from 1985, where he won Best of Division for concha belts in 1990. [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 189) also recorded his part in the Navajo Nation display at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Park City. [4]
Tommy and Marie Jackson told Schaaf (2003):
“We love working with the best American turquoise.”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 190 [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 313) named Tommy Jackson as the teacher of the Navajo jeweler Lyndon B. Tsosie, born in 1968. [4]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice the books date his start a little differently. Tommy told Bahti he started when he was about twenty, which would be around 1978, while Schaaf's 2003 entry lists him as active from 1973. I show both as printed.
Sources
- Bahti, Mark. Silver + Stone: Profiles of American Indian Jewelers. Tucson: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2007.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022. Cited for the recorded hallmark.
- Bassman, Theda. The Beauty of Navajo Jewelry. Photography by Gene Balzer. Walnut, California: Kiva Publishing, 1997. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1997.
- 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.
Know more about Tommy? Contact T.Skies.
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and is compiled from published sources, cited above. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.