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Peshlakai, Fred
(Navajo, active 1920s-1960s). The son or nephew of Slender Maker of Silver, one of the earliest Navajo silversmiths. Peshlakai was one of the first smiths to hallmark his work, though he usually did so only on request. He taught Kenneth Begay while at the Fort Wingate school, and later opened up his own shop on Olvera Street in Los Angeles. His pieces are very technically precise and elaborate, sometimes even to the point of seeming Mexican, and his turquoise is always of the highest quality. (One of his hallmarks was an FP superimposed on an arrow--an old story was that the left pointing arrow was the hallmark of his brother Frank, while the right pointing arrow was Fred's hallmark. According to Lauris Phillips, this is untrue--they were both Fred's hallmark.)
(Navajo, active 1920s-1960s). The son or nephew of Slender Maker of Silver, one of the earliest Navajo silversmiths. Peshlakai was one of the first smiths to hallmark his work, though he usually did so only on request. He taught Kenneth Begay while at the Fort Wingate school, and later opened up his own shop on Olvera Street in Los Angeles. His pieces are very technically precise and elaborate, sometimes even to the point of seeming Mexican, and his turquoise is always of the highest quality. (One of his hallmarks was an FP superimposed on an arrow--an old story was that the left pointing arrow was the hallmark of his brother Frank, while the right pointing arrow was Fred's hallmark. According to Lauris Phillips, this is untrue--they were both Fred's hallmark.)
Available works:
E 3573
Gorgeous Blue Gem turquoise in these beauties. Hallmarked, currently screwbacks. 3/4” diameter, weight 7 grams/pair.
GH 19
Ex-Geraldine Howard collection. Very finely made, as one would expect from a silversmith of Peshlakai’s skill. Hallmarked. Size 5 (can be sized), face measures 1 1/2” high, weight 10 grams. Fred Peshlakai (Navajo, active 1920s-1960s) was the son or nephew of Slender Maker of Silver, one of the earliest Navajo silversmiths. Peshlakai was one of the first smiths to hallmark his work, though he usually did so only on request. He taught Kenneth Begay while at the Fort Wingate school, and later opened up his own shop on Olvera Street in Los Angeles. His pieces are very technically precise and elaborate, and his turquoise is always of the highest quality. (One of his hallmarks was an FP superimposed on an arrow--an old story was that the left pointing arrow was the hallmark of his brother Frank, while the right pointing arrow was Fred's hallmark but according to Lauris Phillips, this is untrue--they were both Fred's hallmark.)
GH 147
Peshlakai was the greatest Navajo silversmith of his time, and earrings by him are extremely rare. Hallmarked—ex-Geraldine Howard collection. Currently screwbacks. 3/4” high, weight 5 grams/pair. Fred Peshlakai (Navajo, active 1920s-1960s) was the son or nephew of Slender Maker of Silver, one of the earliest Navajo silversmiths. Peshlakai was one of the first smiths to hallmark his work, though he usually did so only on request. He taught Kenneth Begay while at the Fort Wingate school, and later opened up his own shop on Olvera Street in Los Angeles. His pieces are very technically precise and elaborate, and his turquoise is always of the highest quality. (One of his hallmarks was an FP superimposed on an arrow--an old story was that the left pointing arrow was the hallmark of his brother Frank, while the right pointing arrow was Fred's hallmark, but according to Lauris Phillips, this is untrue--they were both Fred's hallmark.)
B 3437
A truly outstanding Peshlakai bracelet, with the added benefit of being dated on the inside. Just look at all that fantastic stampwork! Hallmarked. Inside size 5 7/8” with a 1” opening (can be adjusted), width 1 9/16”, weight 73 grams.
B HS/2
Peshlakai did not hallmark everything he made, but unsigned pieces can still be attributed through a combination of outstanding wirework, great stones and overall quality, all of which are present in this fantastic bracelet. Inside size 5 1/2” with a 7/8” opening (can be adjusted), width 9/16”, weight 33 grams.