Wright's Indian Art > Artist: Philander Begay (Navajo)

Philander Begay is a young Navajo silversmith who 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 or two castings.

Philander is among the new generation of amazingly accomplished, Navajo silversmiths who combine tradition with their own vision.