Benjamin Piaso — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Benjamin Piaso's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo/Diné · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Benjamin Piaso Jr. is a Navajo silversmith born in 1964 and active since 1980, documented in Hougart 5th ed. within a large Piaso-family cluster spanning at least seven Navajo silversmiths.
The mark
The Hougart entry is partially degraded in the source scan, but the readable text gives:
The mark is B Piaso Jr — a script-style mark incorporating the generational suffix. This distinguishes him from other Piaso-family silversmiths who use initials only (e.g., E. PIASO, S.P., SAM PIASO).
What is known
Benjamin Piaso Jr. began working in silver at approximately age 16 (active since 1980 with a birth year of 1964). His "Jr." designation indicates his father was likely also named Benjamin (or a senior with the surname Piaso), though Hougart does not explicitly name his father. The Piaso family is one of the larger Navajo silversmithing clusters documented in Hougart, including:
- Betty Piaso (Navajo): mark BETTY PIASO
- Cindy Piaso (Navajo): traditional style, large turquoise nugget bracelets, coral branches, applique; mark C P (conjoined)
- E. Piaso (Navajo): active since the 1980s; mark E. PIASO
- Joe Piaso, Jr. (Navajo): traditional stamp work; mark J. Piasa Jr. (script, inside a feather)
- Sam Piaso (Navajo): active since the 1980s; marks S. P.; SAM P; SAM PIASO
- Thompson Piaso (Navajo): shadowbox; multiple award winner; marks P; T; T P (conjoined); Thompson Piaso (engraved script)
No entry for Benjamin Piaso Jr. was found in Schaaf (2003), Adair (1944), Rosnek (1976), or Bedinger (1973).
Know more about Benjamin? Let us know.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
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.