Victor Beck — Navajo Silversmith
Victor Beck (1941–2022) was a Navajo jeweler who worked in contemporary jewelry and channel inlay, in silver, gold and other materials. Baxter credits him with a ring of his own, the side-inlay or “side channel” ring. At his first Santa Fe Indian Market, in 1975, he won a bunch of first prizes, in his own words, and in 2003 he was named an Arizona Indian Living Treasure.
KEY POINTS
- Victor Beck was born October 2, 1941; Hougart gives his years as 1941 to 2022.
- He won several first prizes at his first Santa Fe Indian Market, in 1975.
- Baxter calls his side-inlay ring, or “side channel” ring, a style unique to Beck.
- He named Kenneth Begay and Charles Loloma as his influences.
- Hougart records him as a 2003 Arizona Indian Living Treasure.
Victor Beck remembered his first Santa Fe Indian Market this way: "In early 1975, I went to Market for the first time." When he went to pick up his jewelry, he "found out I'd won a bunch of first prize awards," as he told Lois Essary Jacka for Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone (Jacka 1995, p. 39).
Margaret Nickelson Wright's Hopi Silver, a register of Hopi smiths and their hallmarks, describes him as "a Navajo smith" who worked in Flagstaff with Duane Maktima and Bob Lomadapki in a program sponsored by the Museum of Northern Arizona, with Jake Brookins as mentor (Wright 2003, p. 67). He taught, too: Wright records that Duane Maktima "Studied with Victor Beck and then Jake Brookins" (Wright 2003, p. 88).
Bille Hougart's Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks lists him as Navajo, 1941 to 2022, working in contemporary jewelry and channel inlay in silver, gold and various materials, and calls him "A Multiple award winner and 2003 Arizona Indian Living Treasure" (Hougart 2022, p. 46).
His hallmark
Hougart lists a script signature, "VICTOR BECK", among his marks (Hougart 2022, p. 46).
Field Notes by Mateo James
Two hallmark books, two ways of reading the mark. Hougart lists a script signature, VICTOR BECK. Schaaf (2003, p. 70) records stamps: Victor Beck, first used in 1982, and a shorter Beck. Only Schaaf gives a date, and only Schaaf has the short form. [3] [6]
Two books put him in Kenneth Begay's line, by different roads. Baxter (2000, p. 12) has Beck himself naming Begay, and Charles Loloma, as influences. Schaaf (2003, p. 70) sees it in the work: Begay's principle of one design element, repeated in unique ways, carried into the bolo ties. [4] [6]
Wright's Hopi Silver places him twice. On p. 67 he works beside Duane Maktima in the Museum of Northern Arizona program, with Jake Brookins as mentor. On p. 88 Maktima "Studied with Victor Beck and then Jake Brookins." A fellow participant on p. 67, a teacher on p. 88. The book holds both, and I show both. [2]
From the Library
What 3 reference books say about Victor Beck, grouped by topic. Every passage names its book and page; full references are under Sources.
These are outside observers' records; Victor Beck's own words, his family, and the Diné (Navajo) Nation are the authority on his life and work.
Dates and marks2 passages · 2 books
Kenneth Begay's line, and the side-inlay ring3 passages · 2 books
The influences he named, and what the books say he made of them.
In her 2000 encyclopedia, Baxter recorded the influences he named:
“Beck acknowledges being influenced by artists Kenneth Begay (1913-1977, Navajo) and Charles Loloma (1921-1991, Hopi).”
Baxter (2000), p. 12 AS OF 2000 [4]
Schaaf (2003, p. 70) saw his work as developing Kenneth Begay's principle of focusing on a single design element repeated in unique ways, seen in his trademark bolo ties with strong vertical elements. [6]
Baxter (2000) credited him with a ring style of his own:
“These achievements can be seen in his innovative side inlay rings (sometimes called “side channel”—a style unique to Beck); texturally distinctive bola ties; and handsome necklaces in a combination of gold, turquoise inlay, and multistrand beads.”
Baxter (2000), p. 12 AS OF 2000 [4]
Recognition and a commission, 1978 to 19932 passages · 2 books
A papal commission, and Tryk's 1993 caption.
Baxter (2000) recorded a commission:
“Beck received a commission in 1978 to create a rosary for Pope Paul VI.”
Baxter (2000), p. 12 AS OF 2000 [4]
Writing in 1993, Tryk captioned his work:
“Victor Beck's simple and elegant designs and careful workmanship make him one of today's top Navajo jewelers.”
Tryk (1993), p. 72 AS OF 1993 [5]
His students2 passages · 1 book
Smiths recorded as learning from him.
Schaaf (2003, p. 70) named Larry Begay and Leroy Begay as his students. [6]
Schaaf (2003, p. 230) recorded Duane Maktima, who named Victor Beck as a teacher, recalling that in 1975 he, Victor Beck and Bob Lomadapki were assistants to the instructor Jake Brookings at the Museum of Northern Arizona. [6]
Frequently asked questions
What is Victor Beck's hallmark?
Hougart lists a script signature, VICTOR BECK. Schaaf records stamps reading Victor Beck, first used in 1982, and Beck. [3] [6]
What is a Victor Beck side-inlay ring?
Baxter (2000) credits him with innovative side inlay rings, sometimes called “side channel” rings, a style she calls unique to Beck. [4]
Who influenced Victor Beck?
He acknowledged Kenneth Begay and Charles Loloma, according to Baxter. Schaaf sees Begay's principle of one design element, repeated in unique ways, in Beck's bolo ties. [4] [6]
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.
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Sources
- Jacka, Lois Essary. Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone. Photographs by Jerry Jacka. Flagstaff: Northland Publishing, 1995.
- Wright, Margaret Nickelson. Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing. Revised edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2003.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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.
- Tryk, Sheila. Santa Fe Indian Market: Showcase of Native American Art. Photography by Mark Nohl; introduction by Allan Houser. Santa Fe, NM: Tierra Publications, in cooperation with SWAIA (Southwestern Association on Indian Affairs), 1993. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1993.
- 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.