We have been searching and searching but we’ve been unable to locate any information about the artist behind the stamped hallmark YSJ Chinle, AZ
The location tells us the artist should be Navajo, but that’s all we know. If we google it, there are a handful of what appears to be vintage pieces out there by the same artist.
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Couldn’t find anything on a google search to get you more information but this artist’s name was Yazzie Slim Jim. I believe he has passed.
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Great info! Thanks you. So the initials are shown with last name first - good to know.
Is it a safe assumption that “Slim Jim” is related to the other well known Yazzie’s (Raymond and Lee), or
is Yazzie in this case an adjective (meaning “small” in Navajo), or perhaps Yazzie is a common last name in Navajo?
Did some research and apparently there are many many Navajo’s with the Yazzie name, and many are unrelated.
@Broochman: For sure.
And the “famous” Yazzies are contemporary inlay masters working with precious metals and diverse gem-quality materials, at the highest level.
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“Jim” is also a Navajo surname. Like Harrison Jim, brothers Thomas and Wilson Jim and I’ve seen others with the first name of Yazzie before although I can’t find anything on a “Yazzie Slim Jim” either.
So Yazzie might be the first name? And Jim the last name? OK.
I have an email into the Heard Museum - apparently they have a file on him/her:
https://5019.sydneyplus.com/Heard_Museum_ArgusNET_Final/Portal/Portal.aspx?component=AAAM&record=d590c55b-5793-476a-8f4b-4e56860d968b
[Artist’s file in Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives, Heard Museum.]
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Possibly he’s still alive!
https://www.instantcheckmate.com/people/yazzie-jim/arizona/
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Jason - do you know anything else about Yazzie Slim Jim?
Looks like there is a 91 yr old Yazzie Jim still around
I didn’t ever buy anything from him. Tony who dealt with him back in the 1970s said he was traditional, had the tied bun. From the Chinle area.
Who is Tony and how do I get in touch with him?
He is my coworker who has been in the shop since late 60s. What I gave you is what he knows.
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