Raymond C. Yazzie — Navajo Silversmith

Name-card placeholder — hallmark imagery to follow

# Raymond C. Yazzie — Navajo Silversmith

Raymond C. Yazzie (1959–; Navajo) started his career as a lapidary worker at approximately ten years old, developing a mastery of stone work that underpins his later silversmithing. He works in mosaic inlay, stone sets, inlay, stamp work, in silver and gold. He is a multiple award winner. He is the brother of Lee Yazzie and Mary Marie Yazzie (see Mary Marie Yazzie).

Mary Marie Yazzie (1943–; Navajo), his sister, has been active since the 1960s and in the 1990s did some inlay work on Preston Monongye castings originally made by Monongye in the 1970s — some collaboration with her brother Raymond is documented. Lee Yazzie is also part of the Yazzie sibling silversmithing family.

## The Mark

> "Raymond C. Yazzie (1959–; Navajo). Started as a lapidary worker when about 10 years old. Mosaic inlay; stone sets; inlay; stamp work; silver, gold. Multiple award winner. Brother of Lee and Mary Marie Yazzie. Mark: RC Y (inside a rectangle)" > — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), approx. p. ~30337.

Mark: RC Y inside a rectangular cartouche. The initials-plus-surname-initial form in a cartouche is a common Navajo hallmarking convention.

## Family Links

• Brother of Mary Marie Yazzie (Navajo) — see Mary Marie Yazzie
• Brother of Lee Yazzie (Navajo) — see Lee Yazzie

## References - Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022. Entry approx. p. ~30337.

Know more about Raymond C. Yazzie or the Yazzie family Navajo silversmithing tradition? Contact T.Skies.