Works by Navajo Silversmith Fred Thompson
June 03, 2013
We recently acquired a
remarkable collection of Fred Thompson's work. These pieces were
originally collected by R. Brownell McGrew, who assembled bold dramatic
pieces that display Thompson's exceptional silver work and use of
exquisite large stones, truly timeless in their quality.
Thompson worked as a smith for Tobe Turpen at the age of 15 and built his career on the skills he learned in Turpen's shop. He made his own stamps, never sold to dealers, and only sold wholesale to Tobe Turpen. After serving in WWII, he continued to make pieces into the 1990's. He was a teacher as well as a silversmith. World renowned, he focused on traditional Navajo styles, producing his work with utmost skill using the highest quality stones available.
Thompson's pieces are now rare and hard to find.
R. Brownell McGrew was lucky enough to live in the Southwest during Thompson's career, and due to his eye for exceptional artistry he collected some phenomenal pieces.
A successful painter, McGrew received the John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Fellowship from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 1946. He used this money to travel and paint landscapes in the Southwest, becoming known to Navajo and Hopi tribes as "The Man who Paints the Old." He received and recognition as painter of Southwestern Native American subject matter.
We love the idea of two artists celebrating Southwestern Native American culture in their own way. Stop by to see these phenomenal works of jewelry. To purchase any of these pieces, please contact the gallery.
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