Ben Touchine — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark

Biography by Mateo James

Hallmark of Ben Touchine (Navajo) — photographed by T.Skies

Ben Touchine's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.

Navajo · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library

The Hougart 5th ed. entry records this silversmith as Benny Touchine; "Ben" and "Benny" are variants of the same name in the documentary record.

The mark

"Benny Touchine (1933–2013; Navajo). Nugget; shadow box; coral; stamp work; watch cuffs and bracelets. Son of Angeline; father of Angie and Vangie. Marks: TOUCHINE; B. TOUCHINE; B. T." — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. ~380.

Three mark forms are recorded: the full surname stamp TOUCHINE, the abbreviated B. TOUCHINE, and a further abbreviated B. T.

What is known

Benny Touchine (1933–2013) was a Navajo silversmith active across a long career. His work spans nugget-style jewelry, shadow box settings, coral accents, stamp work, and watch cuffs. He was the son of Angeline Touchine and the father of at least two children (Angie and Vangie). The Touchine family is documented across four entries in Hougart:

  • Edward Touchine (Navajo): active since the 1970s; mark: E. TOUCHINE
  • Grace Touchine (?–2005; Navajo): active since the 1970s; traditional; nuggets; stamp work; leaf applique; turquoise; mark: G. T. (used since 1974)
  • Rita Touchine (Navajo): cuff; mark: Rita Touchine (script)

No additional biographical detail is available from secondary sources.

Know more about Ben? Let us know.

References

  • Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. ~380.