JSW941 Philander Begay
Sterling silver link necklace by Navajo silversmith Philander Begay. The 20” necklace is made up of nine tufa cast pendants, the center pendant with a 1” x 1” Morenci Turquoise.
One of the most famous and well known American Turquoise mines is the Morenci Turquoise mine form Southern Arizona. This mine was a major producer of natural gemstones that were used commercially for years in predominately Southwestern and Native American Jewelry. The Morenci Turquoise mine was famous for its beautiful true blue Turquoise. Most of the material from this famous mine was a true blue. Today this beautiful classic Turquoise is hard to find. The mine has been closed for many, many, many years.
About the artist
Philander Begay
Philander Begay, born 1982, has been an active silversmith since 2002. He learned the art of making jewelry from his brother, Darryl Begay, and his uncle Bobby Begay. “My brother has taught me, and also my uncle Bobby Begay has shown me things. Bobby was Darryl’s teacher, he worked in the traditional style. Bobby was taught by Timmy Begay who was a student of Kenneth Begay.”
Philander was influenced by Darryl Begay, Raymond Yazzie, Aaron Anderson, Preston Monongye, Jesse Monongye to name a few. He is especially noted for his true tufa casting: carving semi-solid sandstone, and then pouring molten silver in the fragile mold to create bracelets, buckles, bolo ties and pendants that have exquisite detail. Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind because the tufa mold is extremely friable and degrades after one casting.
In 2007 Philander won the prestigious Artists Choice Award at Indian Market in Santa Fe. His tufa cast work is a favorite of collectors. Philander says “I grew up in Tuba City, which is very close to Hopi. My friend was Hopi and we spent alot of time at his home. That is where I get many ideas for my work. I show Pueblo scenes on many of my pieces, and also incorporate the many different Kachina Dances I saw there into my work.”
Philander is one of the youngest, talented artists doing tufa casting and In-lay work. His designs are always outstanding. Each one of his pieces has its own beauty of Navajo culture. He is among the new generation of amazingly accomplished, Navajo silversmiths who combine tradition with their own vision. In 2014, he won 1st of the class ribbon at the Heard Museum Show which is the second largest show in the world.
