Tom Charley — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Tom Charley's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo/Diné · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
About this mark
The mark shown above is photographed directly on an authenticated piece from the T.Skies gallery — this is Tom Charley's actual stamp, not a recreation.
Tom Charley is documented as a Navajo silversmith in the T.Skies hallmark reference library.
Two hallmark books record a Navajo smith of this name with a TC mark, each under its own spelling.
In the Books
Schaaf (2003, p. 109) enters him as "Tom Charley (stamps TC Sterling)": Navajo, born in 1952, active from about 1977 in traditional, contemporary, fabricated and stampwork silver jewelry and silver Kachinas, and the son of Joan Sandoval and Joe Sandoval. [1]
Hougart (2022, p. 82) enters him as "Thomas Charlie (1952-; Navajo). Active since 1970s. Traditional and modern jewelry; stamp work; overlay; …", with the mark "T C." [2]
The stamp photographed above reads TC over STERLING, the form Schaaf gives. That stamp, the 1952 birth year and the Navajo affiliation both books print are why this page carries both entries.
TC alone does not identify him. Schaaf's hallmark index (2003, p. 100) gives TC to four makers: "Tom Charley, Tom Curtis, Toni Curtis, Tommy Singer." [1] Hougart (2022, p. 83) also lists a separate Tom Charlie (Navajo), whose mark is "T Charlie (elaborate script)," a different stamp from the one on this page. [2]
Know more about Tom? Collectors, family members, and researchers are invited to reach out through our contact page — verified details help us build a more complete record for every artist in the directory.
References
- T.Skies Native American Hallmarks Library — documented from the T.Skies gallery collection.
- 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.
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks: Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders. 5th edition. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 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.