Philander Begay-Navajo
Philander Begay grew up in Tuba City, Arizona near the Hopi village of Hotevilla in a family of jewelers noted for their fine one of a kind castings. Carving intricate scenes of Navajo and Pueblo life combined with fine natural turquoise, the family has created some of the most collected pieces of contemporary Native American jewelry. Philander is the brother of noted jeweler Darryl Dean, who was his mentor and teacher. Bobby and Tim Begay were early influences in his unique style, as was Kenneth Begay.
Showing 1–20 of 22 results
Sold
Philander Begay Tufa Cast Horny Toad Opal Pendant Pendant Size: 2-5/8 in. x 1-3/8 in. Stone Size: 5/8 in. x 1/2 in. Bale Diameter: 3/8 in. was last modified: January...
View Details
Sold
This striking one of a kind bracelet is Philander’s famous horned toad design. Both the heavy shank and the toad were carved from tufa stone and cast all by hand....
View Details
Sold
The shank of this marvelous bracelet was carved out of tufa stone and cast by hand by Navajo jeweler, Isiah Begay. The casting is refined and masterful, split shanks being...
View Details
Sold
This stunning scorpion bolo illustrates Philander’s abilities at the height of his creativity. The tufa cast scorpion is a marvel in its realistic posturing, menacing with its stinger high in...
View Details
$1,895.00
Michael chose an outstanding gem grade natural Ithaca Peak turquoise cabochon from Arizona for this beautiful ring. The gem exhibits the signature look of the finest quality from the claim...
Add to cart
Philander Begay Darling Darlene Turquoise 18K Gold Over Tufa Cast Sterling Silver Dragonfly Bracelet
$1,895.00
Outstanding and refined, this one of a kind curved bracelet was carved out of tufa stone, ridges and all. The piece is set with a marvelous rare gem grade natural...
Add to cart
$1,695.00
A large tufa cast scorpion with a bright natural purple sugilite body was overlaid onto a wide cast shank to create this one of a kind bracelet by Philander Begay....
Add to cart
Sold
With amazing dexterity and skill Phil has carved this perfect eagles visage. The eagle’s feathers are alive as is its bright beak. It’s eye is an outstanding lemon lime gem...
View Details
Sold
Precisely carved and executed, Navajo jeweler Philander Begay has created a perfect spiderweb buckle. The raised web covers the entire surface. A large square cut natural Kingman turquoise sits in...
View Details
Sold
Outstanding and refined, Philander has carved a marvelous spiderweb in tufa stone and cast the shank. A perfectly executed spider is then overlaid atop the web. The spider is a...
View Details
Sold
Philander has created this marvelous pendant by selecting a gem grade natural Brannon Blue turquoise to set in an intricate hand chiseled bezel. The gem is deep translucent sky blue...
View Details
Sold
Navajo jeweler, Isiah Begay has created this fine ring by cutting dozens of cabochons in a precise shape to inlay one against the other. Using high grade natural Lone Mountain...
View Details
Sold
This wide unusual bracelet features a tufa cast shank with a fine textured surface finish produced by the stone. Oval openings appear on each side, a unique design element. Atop,...
View Details
$1,295.00
This unusual ring by Isiah Begay was created by carving the design in tufa stone then casting the ring face and shank. The grooves in the ring shank were then...
Add to cart
Sold
Elegant and innovative best describes this fine necklace. The neck ware was created by Al Joe. It is cut out by hand, the surfaced annealed and etched in Al’s one...
View Details
$1,695.00
Sensuous in design with a dramatic curved shank, this dynamic and exciting bracelet is visually stunning. The fabulous heavy shank was carved out of tufa stone and cast. The top...
Add to cart
Sold
Deeply carved into a thick tufa stone, a dark mysterious Navajo deity emerges from the underworld in this heavy bracelet. Philander perfectly captures the essence of the Yeibechai in this incredible piece. Made from multiple layers of sterling silver, the bracelet is as heavy as the subject it portrays. An entire Yei is created. He dances holding rattles, a fox fur hanging down his back. A concho belt with five gem grade natural Apache Blue turquoise conchos adorns his waist. His face is masked with the classic look of the god. The mask is gem grade Apache Blue turquoise to match with a prominent whistle inlaid in the middle below the eyes. The Yei dances in the dark with the stars above him. The finished piece is path breaking and unusually one of a kind.
View Details
Sold
Tufa cast master Philander Begay has created this gorgeous bracelet by carving an elaborate design to mimic the walls of petroglyphs he admires near his home on the vast Navajo reservation. Antelopes, mountains, hands, migration swirls and weather patterns predominate. A rare gem grade natural Easter Blue turquoise sits a bit off set in a hand chiseled bezel. The gem is deep sky blue in the lowest layer with gorgeous golden brown host rock matrix. This is the signature look from the mine and is the perfect earthy look to finish the conception of a petroglyph wall transferred to a marvelous bracelet.
View Details
Sold
A running horse with the mountains in the back ground against a deep blue western sky. Philander Begay continues his innovative carvings in tufa stone. The stone is carved into a one of a kind design. The molten sterling silver is poured yielding a wonderful textured finish that is then deeply oxidized and polished to create the 3D effect. The piece is then precision inlaid with stunning high grade natural Morenci turquoise. The finished buckle is wearable art by a master of this fine quality medium.
View Details
Sold
Navajo silversmith Philander Begay has created this marvelous bracelet through the use of a tufa stone that is laboriously hand carved with a unique design in each side. Molten sterling silver is poured in to create the image. The bracelet features pueblo villages towards the ends of either side of the shank. The inside of the piece exhibits complex petroglyph designs. He has selected a gorgeous rare gem grade natural Pilot Mountain turquoise to place in the center of the bracelet. The gem is blue green with vibrant reddish-brown matrix that spreads like water throughout the stone.
View Details