Fred Thompson
Hallmark documented in: Hougart (Hallmarks), Schaaf (1200 Bios), Hougart (100 Collectible). Rendered from the documented mark, not a photograph.
Overview
Fred Thompson (1921–2002) was a Navajo silversmith with one of the longer documented careers in our reference books — active 1936 to the 1990s, working traditional and multiple styles: jewelry, collar tabs and boxes; cast work, stamp work, heavy pieces, channel and chip inlay, turquoise and coral stone-sets. He made his own stamps.
He was the silversmith for Tobe Turpen's Indian Trading Company beginning in 1936, perhaps also Borrego Pass Trading Post, and operated his own shop in Church Rock, New Mexico. Per our reference books he may have collaborated with Leekya Deyuse. The Marie, Franklin and Hardy Thompson documented nearby carry no stated relation, so we record none.
Collector's caution: Fred Thompson's tilde mark may also appear alongside Tobe Turpen's Indian Trading Company marks — he was the company's silversmith from 1936. A tilde-marked piece should be read together with any shop marks it carries before attribution.
The Mark
"Fred Thompson (1921-2002; Navajo). Active 1936-1990s. Traditional, multiple styles. Jewelry; collar tabs; boxes. Cast work; stamp work; heavy pieces; channel inlay; chip inlay; turquoise, coral; stone-sets. Made his own stamps. Silversmith for Tobe Turpen's Indian Trading Company beginning in 1936, and perhaps Borrego Pass Trading Post. He may have collaborated with Leekya Deyuse. He also operated his own shop in Church Rock, NM. Marks: FRED THOMPSON; a tilde mark (may also be marked for Tobe Turpen's Indian Trading Company)"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The mark as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: FRED THOMPSON; a tilde mark (may also be marked for Tobe Turpen's Indian Trading Company).
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- 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.
Know more about this artist? Contact T.Skies.
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) recorded that he
“(stamped Fred Thompson or the Turpen Shop hallmark: TT with tilde below)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 306 [1]
Schaaf (2003, p. 306) recorded Fred Thompson as a Navajo smith working in traditional silver stampwork, twist wire and set stones, and as a smith for Tobe Turpen from the age of 15. [1]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives TT to five makers:
“TT (Fred Thompson, Raymond Tso, Thomas Tso, Tobe Turpen, Eddie Wadsworth)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 297 [1]
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.