Touchmarks

I am told that "artists sign their work"....perhaps that is all it takes to be one.

In tradition, artists in metal "signed" their work with a touchmark. A touchmark is an acronym or symbol which represents an individual or shop. It is usually a stamp or punch with a positive image (reversed or symmetrical) which is indented as a negative image - right reading. The same tradition which gave us touchmarks had something which is lacking today, a comprehensive and widely acknowledged registry of artists touchmarks correlated to contact information. The medieval guilds of Europe established and maintained such registries which that day's patrons knew of, so they would use it. Today, touchmarks are as anachronistic as selecting the proper flight feathers of a goose for arrow fletching. Try a Google search on a squiggle indented in an excellent piece of contemporary work. Now try entering "Samuel Yellin".

Though Mr. Yellin has been gone nigh 60 years, his work is both collectable (because it is outstanding) and identifiable (because he stamped his name). With today's widely searchable data bases structured for language it is best to get a stamp which let's you sign your work with your name.......unless total anonymity is your goal in which case go with a touchmark's squiggle.


11" Diameter Bronze Light by George Dixon
(bottom above, side below)
Chisel-cut, chased, mica backed

There are five pierced panels, dogwood flower details are monel.