Navajo Nation
Jerry Samuel was born into the Navajo Nation in 1959.
He began his interest in creating these unique dolls by watching his
sister, Cheryl Yazza, craft her dolls in early 1998.
Jerry handcrafts these beautiful one of a kind, Southwestern Indian
porcelain dolls from scratch to finish, along with the help of his wife,
Victoria Samuel, and his son Cooper Samuel.
Jerry creates these unique dolls with enthusiasm and in anticipation
of attracting all types of doll collectors. His dolls are designed with
fox fur, bobcat, badger, or wolf pelts. The clothing resembles the clothes
worn by Northern and Plains Indian Tribes.
The facial design represent spirits of various Navajo Ceremonial Dieties,
while the colors represents the clans of the Navajo. The attire also
tell stories such as the fox head representing spirits of animals for
hunting purposes. Jerry is of the Bitah’nii Clan.
He obtained his artistic ability from his family who are also artisans.
Jerry proudly signs his dolls as: J-Samuel below the left ear.
Awards:
-None to date
Publications:
-None to date