Thomas Curtis
Name-card placeholder — hallmark imagery to follow.
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), approx. p. ~12426.
The marks as documented in the Hougart corpus: T. C.; CURTIS (hand-made stamp c.1970s); T. CURTIS; T. Curtis (script; may have a sunburst symbol); Thomas Curtis.
References - Hougart, Bille. *Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks*, 5th ed. Schiffer Publishing, 2022. Entry approx. p. ~12426.
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