Help identify RLB cartouche mark

Hallmark Identification
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RLB mark identification

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@davidp Hi & Welcome. That’s a very nice set of turquoise jewelry. It looks to me like there are 4 pieces but, I don’t see the earrings listed on the receipt :woman_shrugging:. I checked my Bille Hougart’s book on “Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks” but, I didn’t come across this specific hallmark. There are a few “RLB” listings but they aren’t a match. That cartouche is pretty unique, imo. You may want to try using Google Lens to help assist with hallmark identification.

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It is a Fish Hook surrounding the RLB monogram. AI suggested a Robert and Lena Boone of the Zuni tribe used it. It is 3 times on the ring. They were definitely proud of their work😀

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PS. Patina she bought the matching ring separately. We have the receipts from all of her collection—very large and varied. A Zuni needlepoint set is eye popping.

Thanks for the welcome and thoughts.

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That does not resemble any kind of Zuni style at all. It’s Navajo style all the way. I have a piece stamped RLB somewhere around here as well. Let me see if I came up with the artists name, after I dig through my notes for you.

Edit: I think it was one of the Begays. It might take me a while to find the piece and it’s notes but, try that lead, and see what you come up with.

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Looking forward to your info. Sure looked Navajo to me—leaves and all. I always found Zuni more delicate and elegant.

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fetish carver

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AI is consistently wrong regarding Native American jewelry.

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Thanks! More dead-ends. The marks are so distinctive too.

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On many subjects! It is the only link so far to a fishhook mark with the initials. And in historic monogram this should be r&b l, not rbl.

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But it is wrong, so it’s not a credible link. Sometimes we never find hallmarks. TBH, that fishhook/cartouche type mark seems odd for a Native American mark. And odd that it’s stamped so many times.

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@davidp Hi there! Thanks for explaining that she bought the ring separately. The receipt in the photo had me scratching my head, lol. I agree, this doesn’t look like Zuni work to me, either. Gosh, that hallmark is so distinctive you’d think it’d be fairly easy to identify. One other longshot thought - could the hallmark be a shop mark with the maker’s initials included?

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Thanks so much Steve! Closely related except for the finer details and workmanship in the set I am working with. Rope or twist bezel edge etc.

Perhaps someday it will be identified. Certainly is a puzzle. Too bad the sellers are long dead. Their receipts only note they are signed.

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Take a look at this, but I don’t know if the attribution is correct.

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Clearly the same mark. But you ate correct that they may have just chosen an attribution. It is interesting. Can you share the link so i can open it and see all photos and details?

Very interesting they are saying it is their early work.

Thanks so much!!!

David

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/196357607527

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Thanks Steve, that’s the one

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still had the page open.

big claims from seller require big proof

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I don’t think that pendant is Zuni either. Nowhere have I seen the Leekyas use the fishhook/cartouche thingy mark, although of course I haven’t seen everything. I did finally get a good hallmark book, and it said that the Leekyas at one point worked for John Kennedy, so I looked up his former business, but he never used that mark either. Sellers on eBay say pretty much whatever.

Maybe it’s like Patina said and it’s some sort of shop mark, but if that’s the case I suspect it’s not even a Native American shop mark. I still find it odd that it’s stamped numerous times.

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