Perfectly carved obsidian teardrops with shimmering golden depths and high purity silver combine in this modernist Antonio Pineda set of dangle earrings. There is an innate elegance in the way the silver embraces the volcanic glass, like slender flames of a hot fire emanating from black coals. In the darkness, you only see the silver; in the light it is only the obsidian that catches the eye. Antonio at one of his best moments, I believe...

In the style closely associated with Enrique Ledesma yet signed by one of his contemporary Taxco maestros this stunning sterling silver necklace and earrings set epitomizes the slick modernism of Mexico’s mid-century. Designs in this genre capitalize on the stark contrast between highly polished, reflective silver and dark, heavily oxidized surfaces and the visual drama that it creates...

Sigi Pineda rings don't come up very often and I am very happy to present here an example out of his "boomerang" line. Fashioned in the so-called by pass style, this is a slick, mod piece, its two wings adorned with bezel set turquoise cabs. Fantastic patina and excellent vintage condition make this an absolute must-have for collectors of Mexican jewelry and lovers of mod design alike...

The smaller version of this particular design, this set of vintage Margot de Taxco earrings reminds me of elaborate woven baskets. The repoussage here is very sculptural and the beading in combination with the wonderful patina the set has acquired over the years accentuates its three-dimensional appeal. Eye-catching without being visually overwhelming, it is easy to wear and will hold its own whatever the occasion you chose it for...

Wonderful old Mexican silver bracelet in bold design with large oval green stones, stamped "Silver Made In Mexico", the bottom part of Mexico not visible. It measures 7" long and 1 3/8" wide. Very substantial, the silver is heavy and the stones are large and raised high above the bezels. The clasp is a simple folding snap clasp that holds firmly. The design is very similar to the early works of both Spratling and Aguilar, and could have been crated by them or by a worker in their studios...

There is not one form of jewelry in which the Los Castillo did not excel yet I think their big, bold repousse brooches are simply above and beyond! The example I am presenting here, most probably an early creation if design numbers are indeed good indicators of when during the workshop's life a specific idea was transformed into jewelry, reflects the Egyptian Revival of the Deco period...

It's almost the middle of August but this vintage Antonio Pineda brooch makes me think of leaves twirling in the wind filling the world with the fiery golds and reds of Fall. It is characteristic of the design genius inherent in some maestros that they can take a simple, familiar form and put such a twist to it (in our case literally), the form turns into a little work of art. This is a very sculptural brooch, the sense of motion it holds within it strong, its patina to die for...

Light and airy this vintage Hector Aguilar foliate brooch looks almost like an anatomical leaf study in fine, .940 silver. I think it is a fern leaf that is presented in its absolutely bare essentials yet the stem's playful curve and the graduated lessening of the pin's width as it proceeds from base to leaf tip impart a pleasantly deceiving illusion of sculpturality. Easy to wear, soothing on the eye, perfect for the time when trees put on their fall colors...

A brooch that unabashedly lures the eye and invites the touch this sterling silver and golden sheen obsidian treasure bears the signature of Erika Hult de Corral, one of the few female designers of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance that we know of and definitely the only modernist. de Corral's work can be truly inspired - and she has a way with silver and stones that makes the materials simply flow into each other effortlessly, as if they were always meant to be together...

An accomplished member of the Mexico City school of repoussage, maestro M. Velazquez was a contemporary of Matilde Poulat's and many of his designs are actually based on Matl's originals. The level of craftsmanship and the quality of his work have contributed to his becoming increasingly sought after by collectors, especially with the high prices Poulat's creations realize. I love all his pieces but I have a particular affinity for his brooches and this one, I have never seen in the past...

Vintage 1940s Hector Aguilar silver repousse floral brooch in what I believe to be a squash blossom design which might even have been created by Valentin Vidaurreta. There are several variations of the motif that can be found in various sizes and weights - during the short period in the 1940s when Coro had their jewelry made in Aguilar's workshop due to the war restrictions, brooches like this albeit lighter were also made for the American market and stamped with Coro's Mexican hallmark...

One of the demanding techniques the Los Castillo workshop is credited with, onix negro (black onyx) was introduced by them in the world of Taxco silver-smithing in the early 1950s and it has resulted in some amazing pieces of jewelry. Set within a carefully carved piece of flat-cut black onyx, the silver elements of a design are then ground down to match the stone surface in a seamless, perfect plane...

What with their bows and their beading Margot de Taxco's "cornflower" earrings are the epitome of retro elegance. The set presented here is, I believe, the smaller version of the design but I love it for its easy-to-enjoy size and the wonderful patina that enhances the sculptural appeal of the floral dangles. A classic in Margot's repertoire, the pair is always "en vogue" and adds that distinct quality to one's appearance that makes heads turn...

An iconic creation for Enrique Ledesma, this design can be found in all jewelry forms and with various stones. There is something very sculptural in the way the stone is cut that bestows an irresistible tactile quality to it and the case of the brooch at hand is no exception. Predominantly green with sage overtones yet not lacking rich blues and more muted browns, the azur-malachite is securely set in its warmly glowing silver frame. Distinctly angular, the stone’s shape is mitigated by the sw...

Very nice size, measuring 2 5/8 wide and 2 1/8" high, good weight. Stamped 980 on back, with Made in Mexico, no maker's mark. Likely Taxco work, and the 980 silver standard was used in earlier works, prior to 1950. The face mask depicts a warrior with headdress, ear spools, and facial adornment, a pre-columbian image often found in Mexican art and jewelry. Has visible tarnish, especially in recessed areas, and shows wear and abrasions to silver surface. Please see all photos for details. ...

Probably my favorite among the Taxco modernists, Salvador Teran has that magic touch which allows him to draw a perfectly "readable" picture with the least amount of strokes. His work is inspired and his ability to deal with different materials and always create wearable pieces of art is simply unbelievable. In this set of abstract earrings my eyes see the figures of two birds. They are so abstract, as if made of air and movement, but I look at them and I can almost hear them fluttering above my...

It is a rare occurrence to find a Margot de Taxco ring - some designs do crop up from time to time but to come upon her "yin and yang" design no 5170 is quite a strike of luck! Out of her enamel creations, I have to admit that this is one of my favorite not only because of the "balanced" motif but mainly because of the soul-soothing colors it comes in. Primordial white and black with gold and metallic molten caramel glisten contained in their silver cloisons, dotted with graduated sterling circl...

I don’t usually venture into the 1980s with vintage Mexican silver jewelry but Erika Hult de Corral is one of the few instances in which the general rule is broken. A Paris-educated, talented modernist with a distinct brutalist strain in her designs, Ric (as she signs her pieces) worked with Sigi Pineda and Enrique Ledesma before she opened her own workshop. She kept making jewelry into the 1980s, past the demise of most of Taxco’s early talleres, and the dangle earrings at hand are such an ...