Thomas Curtis
Overview
Thomas Curtis (1942–2013) was a Navajo silversmith active since the 1960s, working in both traditional and contemporary directions — jewelry and flatware built on file, chisel- and stamp-work. He was a multiple award winner.
In the early 1970s he worked for Tommy Singer, where he made chip inlay jewelry. In the 1980s he worked at Rocking Horse Ranch. He was the father of Jennifer Curtis and Thomas Curtis, Jr.
Collector's caution: Several Curtis-family smiths worked under closely related marks — Hougart documents his son Thomas Curtis, Jr. and daughter Jennifer Curtis as smiths in their own right. Read a T. CURTIS or T. C. stamp together with the work's period and style before attributing to father or son.
The Mark
"Thomas Curtis (1942-2013; Navajo). Active since 1960s. Traditional or contemporary; jewelry, flatware; file, chisel- and stamp-work. Worked for Tommy Singer in the early 1970s where he made chip inlay jewelry. Worked at Rocking Horse Ranch in 1980s. Father of Jennifer Curtis and Thomas Curtis, Jr. Multiple award winner. Marks: T. C.; CURTIS (hand-made stamp c.1970s); T. CURTIS; T. Curtis (script; may have a sunburst symbol); Thomas Curtis"
— Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. (2022).
The marks as documented in Hougart's hallmark reference: T. C.; CURTIS (hand-made stamp c.1970s); T. CURTIS; T. Curtis (script; may have a sunburst symbol); Thomas Curtis.
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From the Library: Jacka, Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone (1995)
1995 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 1995, not today.
Thomas Curtis, Sr., speaking to Jacka in 1995:
“You have to make your own tools and designs to be an artist.”
— Jacka (1995), p. 56 [1]
These are an outside writer’s records from 1995 and the artists’ own words as she recorded them; the Diné themselves are the authority on their own beliefs and practices.
Thomas Curtis, Sr., told Jacka (1995, p. 110) that he developed the design of his silver boxes from the lid of his grandfather's old silver box, which looked like a ketoh (bow guard), and that the ketoh is worn only on the left arm, like a shield, and is used in all ceremonies. [1]
On learning, he told her in 1995 that his grandfather was a silversmith who did not want anyone to watch:
“I'd sneak in and look at what he was working on.”
— Jacka (1995), p. 95 [1]
From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003) recorded two script marks beside his initials and name stamps:
“script T Curtis with diamond-like symbol over name, script T Curtis inside symbol”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 127 [3]
According to Schaaf (2003, p. 127), Thomas Curtis, Sr. began his career as a champion bareback rider and was a member of the All-Indian Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association; at Indian Market he won Best of Division in 1986, 1988, 1990 and 1991. [3]
Field Notes by Mateo James
I notice a difference in his birth year. Hougart gives 1942, while Schaaf's 2003 entry gives about 1945. I show both as printed.
Sources
- Jacka, Lois Essary. Navajo Jewelry: A Legacy of Silver and Stone. Photographs by Jerry Jacka. Flagstaff: Northland Publishing, 1995. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 1995.
- 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.
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.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.