Tom Billy — Navajo/Diné Silversmith Hallmark
Tom Billy's hallmark as photographed on an authenticated piece. © Turquoise Skies Inc.
Navajo/Diné · documented in the T.Skies hallmark library
Tom Billy is a Navajo silversmith who works in shadowbox style and stamp work.
The Work
Billy's documented techniques are shadowbox and stamp work. Shadowbox — a style in which a raised bezel or frame creates a recessed "shadow" effect around a set stone — is a classic Navajo form associated with mid-to-late twentieth century production work. Stamp work is among the most foundational of Navajo silversmithing techniques, involving hand-cut steel stamps pressed into silver sheet to create patterned surfaces.
The Billy Family
Tom Billy appears in Hougart's listing alongside other Billy-surname smiths: Emerson Billy (set stones, channel inlay, cobblestone, textured surfaces, stamp work; marks E. B. and Emerson B. in script) and Joe G. Billy (mark: J G B). These appear to be distinct individuals rather than a documented family group — the Hougart entries do not note any relationship between them.
The mark
Marks: TB; T J B; T. BILLY (Hougart 5e, p. 63).
The three marks — "TB" (initials), "T J B" (initials with middle initial), and "T. BILLY" (surname-style stamp) — suggest Billy used different stamps at different periods or for different product lines. The "T J B" form implies a middle name or second given name beginning with J.
What is known
Hougart provides: Navajo, shadowbox, stamp work, three marks (TB, T J B, T. BILLY). No birth year, active period, or award history is recorded. No entry found in any other reference book.
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References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed., p. 63 (printed): "[Tom Billy] (Navajo). Shadowbox; stamp work. Marks: TB; T J B; T. BILLY"
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.