noun
- a maker’s mark or stamp impressed on pewter, silver, or other metalwork to identify the craftsperson or workshop
Usage: metalworking; historical
Examples
- The antique pewter plate bore the touchmark of a famous 18th-century craftsman.
- Collectors examine touchmarks to authenticate and date old silverware.
- Each pewterer had a unique touchmark registered with the guild.
- The touchmark on the tankard helped identify its maker and origin.
- Without a clear touchmark, it’s difficult to determine the piece’s provenance.
- The museum’s collection includes examples of various colonial touchmarks.