Undated
T. Singer
Upright separate letters replace the linked script of the other T. Singer die.
stamped · Navajo Nation, Arizona, United States
Designer marks
Tommy Singer hallmark
On sterling silver from Navajo Nation, Arizona, United States, Tommy Singer hallmark carries “THOMAS / SINGER / STERLING”.
- Active years
- To 2014
- Country
- United States
- City / region
- Dilkon and Winslow area, Arizona
- Products
- sterling silver jewelry, turquoise and coral chip-inlay jewelry, overlay jewelry, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants, buckles, bolo ties
- Marks
- 5
Active from the 1960s until his death on May 31, 2014; family workshop production continued afterward. Individual and shop hallmarks are distinguished below.
What to look for
- Read every letter and symbol. A script T. Singer, block T. Singer and full THOMAS SINGER stamp are different layouts; the abbreviated marks can add a crescent or a separate S.
- For the staggered shop form, S sits above T and a C-shaped crescent. A straight line of STC letters is a different arrangement and should not be matched by the letters alone.
- T&R Singer identifies the family workshop continuation. Compare that complete name with Tommy’s individual name stamps.
Marks & lettering
5 marks
Undated
THOMAS / SINGER / STERLING
Full THOMAS is written above SINGER, unlike an initial-and-surname or pictorial punch.
stamped · sterling silver · Navajo Nation, Arizona, United States
Undated
T. Singer
Flowing script and extended final stroke distinguish it from the block-letter name stamp.
stamped · Navajo Nation, Arizona, United States
Undated
S / T
An S is added above the T and crescent; the staggered arrangement distinguishes it from straight-line STC.
stamped · sterling silver · Navajo Nation, Arizona, United States
Undated
T / STERLING
T and crescent form a compact emblem without the additional S above.
stamped · sterling silver · Navajo Nation, Arizona, United States
About Tommy Singer
Thomas “Tommy” Singer was a Diné silversmith associated with the Dilkon and Winslow area of Arizona. He learned silversmithing from his father while growing up on the Navajo Reservation and was working professionally by the 1960s. His jewelry became particularly associated with chip inlay: small pieces of turquoise or red coral set with epoxy into silver. The technique supplied vivid colour and texture to bracelets, pendants and other ornaments.
Singer also made traditional stamped silverwork and developed an extensive range of overlay jewelry. Contrasting metal surfaces carried geometric, animal and other designs connected with Navajo visual traditions. His necklaces often combined patterned metal beads with stone beads. The range included cuffs, pendants, earrings, necklaces, buckles and bolo ties. He worked with family members and used both individual signatures and workshop marks, including abbreviated punches as well as his written name.
Singer died on May 31, 2014. His wife Rosita, known as Rose, and other family members continued making jewelry from his designs. The T&R Singer workshop name belongs to that family continuation. Earlier pieces show several forms of T. Singer, THOMAS SINGER and initial-and-crescent marks.
Also known as: Tom Singer · T. Singer · Thomas Singer
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Straight-line STC marks
These have been confused with the staggered Singer workshop mark. The illustrated Singer form places S above T and the crescent; it does not put three letters in a straight line.
T&R Singer
The family workshop used this name on continued production. Read the ampersand and R; it is distinct from an individual T. Singer signature.