Benson Sam — Navajo Silversmith Hallmark

Biography by Mateo James

Hallmark of Benson Sam (Navajo) — photographed by T.Skies

Benson Sam's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.

Navajo · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library

Benson Sam is a Navajo silversmith active since the 1970s, documented in Hougart 5th ed. He is known for channel inlay, overlay, stamp work, set stones, shadow box settings, and crosses. He has a documented trade relationship with the Atkinson Trading Company.

The mark

"Benson Sam (Navajo). Active since 1970s. Channel inlay; overlay; stamp work; set stones; shadow box; crosses. Husband of Sadie Sam. May be stamped for Atkinson [Trading] Company. Mark: BENSON SAM" — Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. ~342.

The mark is the full-name stamp BENSON SAM. Hougart includes a photograph of the stamp impression, showing the text in block capitals. The trading-company attribution note is important for provenance: pieces may carry an additional Atkinson Trading Company mark alongside BENSON SAM.

What is known

Benson Sam was married to Sadie Sam, also a documented Navajo silversmith active since the 1970s, who worked in nugget work and leaf applique. The Hougart entry notes that Sadie Sam may also be stamped for the Atkinson Trading Company. The Atkinson Trading Company was a well-known Gallup, New Mexico, trading post that contracted jewelry from many Navajo silversmiths during this period.

No entry for Benson Sam was found in Schaaf (2003), Adair (1944), Rosnek (1976), or Bedinger (1973).

Know more about Benson? Let us know.

References

  • Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022), p. ~342.