Ben Eustace — Zuni Silversmith Hallmark
Ben Eustace's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Zuni · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Ben Eustace (also known as Bennie Eustace) was a Zuni silversmith and a patriarch of one of the most documented silversmithing families in the Hougart record. He worked in set stones, silver, and carved decorative designs. He was a noted award winner as early as the 1930s exhibition circuit.
The mark
The primary marks are BE paired with a Sage Clan symbol. An Eagle Clan symbol also appears as a mark variant. Hougart notes that one stamp was reportedly accidentally destroyed. The Schaaf (2003) caption text confirms the name "Ben Eustace (Bennie)" alongside the extended Eustace family portrait, including Felicita Eustace, Jolene A. Eustace-Hanelt, Charlotte Eustace, and Christina Eustace.
What is known
Ben Eustace was the husband of Felicita Eustace and father of at least six silversmithing children: Bernadette, Alice, Jolene, Linda, Nelson, and Joseph. His grandson is Robert Mac Eustace Jones. The Eustace family is among the most thoroughly documented extended silversmithing families in both Hougart and Schaaf. His daughter Bernadette Eustace (Cochiti/Zuni) worked in inlay and set stones, with marks including BE. His daughter Jolene A. Eustace (married name Hanelt) and son Nelson Eustace are also documented. A later descendant, R.J. Eustace, is identified as Ben Eustace's grandson with marks including RJ (offset) and RE.
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References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
- Schaaf, Gregory. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies (2003) — Eustace family caption.
- Schaaf, Gregory, with Angie Yan Schaaf. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies, ca. 1800-present. American Indian Art Series, Vol. 5. Santa Fe: CIAC Press, 2003. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
- Bassman, Theda, and Michael Bassman. Zuni Jewelry. Revised and Expanded 3rd Edition. Photographs by Gene Balzer. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2006 (first published 1992). Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2006.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) entered him as
“Ben Eustace (Bennie), (hallmark - Thunderbird, ca. 1950, B.E.)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 150 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 150) recorded Ben Eustace as Zuni, married into Cochiti, born in the 1920s and active from about the 1940s in nugget and leaf jewelry, with his work in the C.G. Wallace collection. He told Schaaf that his family was known for developing silver leaf jewelry, and he also carved turquoise into leaf and shell forms set in silver. [1]
His daughter Jolene, quoted by Schaaf (2003, p. 150), recalled learning from him that the stones have a spirit and must be treated with great respect. [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 143) listed Ben Eustace among four makers given the initials BE in the hallmark index, with Eula Mae Begay, Buddy Lightfoot Edmundson and Beatrice Eustace. [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 249) named the Zuni jeweler Eric Othole, born in 1979, as a grandson of Ben and Felicita Eustace through their daughter Jolene A. Eustace-Hanelt. [1]
From the Library: Bassman and Bassman, Zuni Jewelry (2006)
2006 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2006, not today.
Bassman and Bassman (2006, p. 16) pictured a channel inlay ring of turquoise that Ben Eustace made in the 1970s. [2]
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and compiled from published references. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.
Wife: Felicita Eustace