J2024 Philbert Begay
Sterling silver tufa cast cuff by Navajo silversmith Philbert Begay. The 2” cuff has a silver overlay dragonfly with a coral body and turquoise head. The inside is 5 1/4”with a 1” gap.
Tufa casting is a technique of pouring molten silver into a tufa stone mold and letting it harden into a given form. The mold is only used once; therefore each item is an original piece.
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About the artist
Philbert Begay
Philbert Begay is a very talented Navajo silversmith who comes from a famous silversmithing family including his four uncles and father, the late Richard Begay. Philbert learned the art of silver work from his father by polishing and finishing pieces for him as a young boy. Philbert also excels in intricate silver inlay, a technique his father is famous for. After growing up around the art of jewelry and learning many skills from his father, Philbert’s natural talent in jewelry-making has given him a name of his own. He is now an expert at overlay, applique, stamp work, cutting, polishing and inlaying stones.
After attending the Colorado Institute of Art, Philbert began working with his father part-time and is now a full-time silversmith specializing in sterling silver and 14K gold contemporary Navajo jewelry.
Philbert does excellent work and is gaining a reputation as an outstanding smith. He works with many different stones but mainly turquoise, coral and lapis. His silverwork is rooted in traditional Navajo designs and accented with fine, natural stones. Traditional motifs and pictorial subjects create modern, rather than overtly contemporary, designs.
He is a member of Kinlichinii Natoh Dine’, the Redhouse Tobacco Clan. He resides in Flagstaff, Arizona.
