This ring is being sold online as signed by E. Lister. I don’t have a picture of the hallmark but something feels off to me. Most of the examples of his work that I’ve seen have handmade bezels, not smooth bezels like this ring, and the stampwork seems a little sloppy. Is anyone familiar enough with his work to know if this looks right?
Also the stones almost look like they’re glued into the bezels rather than the bezels holding the stones in place.
As you probably well know, Ernie Lister is one of the few contemporary master silversmiths honestly working in traditional Navajo technique: melting coins to form ingot, hand forging alternated with fire annealing, utilizing handmade stamps, dies, chisels, and files to create deep and classic line work, and he invariably mounts rare, high grade, natural turquoise that he cuts himself.
This concho belt made by Ernie bears smooth, imperfect bezels.
He has an almost cult following, especially in Japan. Provided his reputation, the value of his work, and his collectability, personally, I wouldn’t buy anything labeled as being made by him unless it was directly from him at his Hotel Trading in Hotel St. Michael in Prescott, AZ, or from a prominent gallery: Shiprock Santa Fe, Four Winds Gallery, etc.
Have you attempted to get a photo of the hallmark?
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Technically, this ring is very well made using traditional processes and tools. I see absolutely nothing amiss with anything here. Stones are high quality and look natural, bezels are traditional and handmade as is everything else. Stampwork is clean, deep, and precise. It’s a really nice, well made ring. Exceptional.
ETA: I don’t see any disparity in the quality, style or caliber of workmanship with the excellent examples @Ravenscry has posted. Would love to see the signature and any other stamps on the flip side of this ring. Please ask the vendor for photos.
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I went ahead and bought it. It was for sale at an Albuquerque consignment boutique. Price was $175 and it’s returnable so no real risk. Waiting for it to arrive and will post more detailed photos when it gets here. Thanks for both of your replies!
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Having visited with Ernie multiple times and owning several pieces of his work, this is not by Ernie’s. His hallmark is w
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Hi Bmpdvm,
I’m the last person to ask about hallmarks, but I stumbled on this piece this morning and wanted to get your thoughts.
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Oops sorry for the incomplete post…I ment to state that Ernie’s hallmark is E Lister in small script. (As shown is TAH’s link) I believe David Lister’s hallmark is in capital letters.
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David’s is in all caps. I have one of his rings.
All caps, no initial in front, at least on my ring.
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I just saw all the flooding in Indianapolis on the news today. I hope you are staying above the water.
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We are good here. We’re north of the worst. We did have a lot of rain here, but I was in northern Michigan so missed it. Thanks for asking!
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Thanks for your feedback everyone. As it happened, I was at Indian Market this weekend and had the privilege of meeting Ernie Lister in person. He looked at the pictures of my ring and immediately recognized one of the stamp on the far back side. He said it was made in the 1920s by his mentor. So my ring is definitely made by him. I find it fascinating how artisans can identify their work by looking at the stamps. It’s almost like their fingerprint. Here’s a picture of us at Indian Market. Thanks again to all!
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So cool! I’m glad you found out, it is a beautiful ring, and now you can wear it with extra joy!
Thank you for sharing what you found out with us, and the great picture. You look like you’re having a wonderful time.
And I spy your Mary Tafoya hummingbird pendant; I just bought one from her here at a Native art Market in Indiana in June. I absolutely love it, and I love yours!
Edit: I’m confused though, you said it was made by his mentor? Do you know who that is, did he say?
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Sorry I think perhaps I wasn’t clear. Ernie said his mentor made the stamp in 1920 and gave it to him, and he used it on my ring. I love my hummingbird necklace so much! It was one of the first ones Mary Louise Tafoya made and I met her daughter in Albuquerque during covid to buy it after seeing it on her website.
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Got it! That makes sense. Thanks!
Mary, her daughter and husband are wonderful. So cool that you got to meet up with her daughter, and get one of the first hummingbirds; I had been wanting one for several years, and was over the moon this year when she had one for sale. They come to the Eiteljorg Indian Art Market every year in Indianapolis, and I have bought from her over the last 20 years.
Looks like you were having a great time at the Santa Fe Market! And your layered necklaces are fabulous 
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