Roger Skeet, Jr. Works

Roger Skeet, Jr.

(1933- )

Roger Skeet, Jr. was born December 7, 1933 in Vanderwagon, New Mexico.

Roger, Jr. learned his silversmith skills from his father, Roger Skeet, Sr.  He was the oldest of eight children and chosen by his father to stay home to help his father with his silver work.  Therefore, he never had the traditional education his siblings had.  His apprenticeship began at the age of eight and he worked with his father until his death in 1959. He once said, “I would like to have gone to school and served my people on the Tribal Council.”

 Roger Skeets Jr. still uses some of the same stamps of his father’s in his work today, a wonderful piece of Navajo silver history. He became known for his stamp work on concho belts.  He has made thousands of these belts, a tradition started by his father, Roger Skeet Sr., who was one of C.G. Wallace’s frequently used smiths. 

He began using the hallmark RS in about 1950. Roger is in his 70’s and retired in as much as he no longer takes orders, but does silver work when he wants.