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...

Dating around the middle of Matilde Poulat's career, this sterling repousse brooch exhibits the tell-tale texturing and beading that characterizes her silver-work and is adorned with bezel-set turquoise and red coral. Poulat's inspiration quite often originated in the natural environment with doves, owls, flowers, fish and, in our case, a sea horse featured in her jewelry. Evocative of the tranquility of deep sea waters, this little creature will put a smile on your face every day of the week...

Slick and elegant in such a less-is-more way this set of vintage sterling silver Kupitaan Kulta modernist earrings was created in Finland in the 1950s-60s period. It seems to me that in this set Elis Kauppi tempered bare bones minimalism with the lightest possible trace of vermeil that covers the inner surfaces of the earrings' rectangular building blocks and gives the illusion of a textured finish. Spectacularly beautiful they measure 2 3/8" long by 3/8" wide and weigh 7.2 grams (for the set)...

A rare cuff by Hector Aguilar and stunning to wear. There are 2 layers of open back repousse that allow for layering of the leaves around and under the bloom. This bracelet is solid 940 silver and the top layer of the bloom is a copper wash. The stamen are left silver for additional depth. Made with 89 grams of thick silver around the wearers wrist. The patina is very dark and there is speckles of it in many places but no dents, damage or repairs. Measurements are: 1 inch gap 2.25 diameter...

Antonio Pineda's designs are timeless as is this 970 sterling silver & black obsidian necklace from the 1950's. Carved crescents of black obsidian frame the intricate silver work at the center. Pendant with bail measures 3" high X 2.3" across. The velvet cord measures 23 inches long and made to tie in the back at your preferred length. The velvet is finished with 2 heavy sterling silver balls. Both pendant and velvet cord are in beautiful condition. Perfect for dress or casual wear.

This Matl made by Matilde Poulat is early and a medium size being 4 inches across on the drop and exactly 3 inches tall including the dangles. All the stones are bezel set and I believe original which is so rare. The turquoise is a beautiful warmed teal color and there are no repairs or damage. This patina is very dark and appears to have been untouched for a great deal of time. The chain has granulated bead work that is perfection on the tips of the swirls...

We have a very rare Salvador Teran necklace that also serves as a brooch. His work is known to be innovative and inventive. His work here is properly hallmarked and boasts large gemstone rocks.The colors run rampant throughout. The top is turquoise, the middle is a Mexican Fire Opal and the bottom we are not certain but is said to be Chalcedony or a special type of Opal. All together with uncommon settings the drop is 2.5 inches long and 2 inches across at the widest point...

William Spratling's Pacific North West designs are truly loved and collected. This star is 17.25in. long and the star measures 2.25in. from all directions. The stone is azure malachite with striking colors of green brown and blues. The silver work is repousse silver with high, sleek peaks and the stones are also high peaked tops. There are no repairs or damage. This treasure has grown a natural patina that is breathtaking with this outstanding design...

One of the few female designers we know of in Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance and a gifted modernist at that, Erika Hult de Corral created jewelry that attracts the eye and captures one's imagination. I am particularly fond of her "moonscape" designs that touch upon biomorphic brutalism, if you allow me the combination, yet the sense of unimpeded, fluid motion and the abstraction present in this particular bracelet reflect, in my opinion, one of her best moments...

Properly signed Fred Davis bracelet with the lion prancing on both side panels of this treasure. There are 4 turquoise cabachon stones on each side of the oval shaped bracelet. The oval measures 2 3/8th's inches and will fit most. It presents itself with a height of 2 3/8th's and a weight of 116 grams of heft...

Sometimes I find a superb vintage Mexican Silver necklace that is unsigned as this one is. I believe todays offering is an early 1930's date as signing the work was something that William Spratling really just started in his beginnings in Taxco. The hand chasing shows expert workmanship and each medallion is thick silver and with hand rolled edges. The weight is 79 grams and is 16.25 inches long. Each medallion is with the chain 1 inch tall. There is no repairs or damage of any kind and all casa...

Signed SILVER BY TONO and weighing 79 grams this rare 1948-53 silver cuff was designed by Taxco, Mexico artist Antonio Pineda. The front center of the cuff stands 1 5/8 inches high. Made for a smaller wrist, the interior length including the 1 1/8" back opening is about 6 1/4". The cuff is in beautiful condition with no dents or dings. The gorgeous aged patina enhances the hand forged scroll work and bead design. Interior hallmarks are SILVER BY TONO, MEXICO and Antonio pattern inventory number...

Necklace Design 250 by Los Castillo is outstanding repousse that displays great depth, dimension and skill to produce. The silver is heavy at 107 grams. It is rounded so the wearable length is approximately 17in. The large links in the drop is the tiniest fraction below 1.5in. No repairs, dents or damage on this well loved treasure. There is glare that can mislead so look at all the pictures. The patina has grown naturally in my collection for years. The exact design clamper bracelet matching th...

In keeping with the love the 1960s and '70s had for huge, "ethnic" pendants this Los Ballesteros sterling silver sunburst stunner is inspired by ancient Aztec and Maya calendar disks and measures 3.5 in without the bail! Several silversmithing techniques were combined to create the pendant - cutwork, chasing, overlay, oxidation - and right at the center, a crown-set amethyst brings intense color to an otherwise silver and black background. The chain itself is an incredible find not just because ...

One of a kind, electrifying, arresting ring with 20k yellow gold, sterling silver, diamonds and cabochon labradorite by master craftsman and artist Peter Schmid who owns the Atelier Zobel in Konstance, Germany. This ring is a size 8-8 1/2 and the front of the ring at the stone measures 5/8'" long. Weighing 11 grams, it is in fine original condition with no chips or cracks to the brilliant stone. Signed and dated 2013 as shown. An exotic, inspired and inspiring ring with remarkable attention to ...

This necklace is a graceful garland of bezel-set, oval and round moonstone cabochons in silver. Loops of chain surround moonstone drops, giving the fluid drape of the necklace. The chains connecting the stones are low-grade silver. This is a turn-of-the-century piece and is 15" long

Last year I was lucky to find three examples of jewelry by Celia Harms, a talented designer who lived and worked in Vera Cruz in the 1950s and '60s. The Etruscan style sterling vermeil cross pin / pendant necklace I am presenting is the last of that trove and a very classy duo as well. I am very particular with vermeil - I don't really like it unless it is old and has mellowed almost to the point of ... extinction yet here it has an understated matte finish that exudes a calm warmth. The workman...

Fur pins are not a common find in the field of Mexican silver jewelry collecting yet during my years of buying and selling I have bumped upon a few examples and I can tell you that the best bore the Los Castillo signature - like the one I am presenting here. The "koi fish" is a signature design for the famous workshop yet we all know it was created by Margot de Taxco when she was still married to Antonio Castillo. In the piece at hand, the fish is big and bold, with deep, hand-chased details tha...

A bold and stunning sterling necklace with gold accents and large picture agate by Modernist Eleanor Caldwell. The necklace has intricate side hinges and one of them opens and closes and serves as the clasp. The necklace measures approximately 16-16 1/2" around in the inside when clasped. The front silver piece measures 6" across and the picture agate is 2 1/2" by 2". Total weight is 179 grams. Fine original condition with no chips or cracks to the gorgeous stone. Signed in 2 places with her per...

Antonio Pineda's iconic Matchstick design is a most coveted piece for all modernist Mexican Silver collectors. The silver is white as it is 970 pure giving it a rich color. The match tips are obsidian and have no chips or damage. It is strung on strong silver cable and properly hallmarked as shown. This masterpiece boasts a wearable length of 18in. The center link is 1.75in. tall and the smallest graduated link is 1in. Lays perfectly on, just LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!

A fabulous example of late Deco Portuguese jewelry this hinged "bangle" is signed by Topazio, the country's foremost manufacturer of silver hollowware and jewelry. Wrought in .833 silver, its two "wings" are made up of curved panels with alternating scrolled niello and figural decoration. This specific design is known as "monuments of Portugal", the Belem Tower and the National Pantheon being among the country's architectural treasures portrayed here. The bracelet has an inner circumference of 7...

This is an unusual design in a Matl bracelet properly hallmarked for the early part of Matilde Poulat's career. This treasure is 6.5 in. long and 1.25in. tall. The coral frames the amethyst giving it an elegant presence.The bracelet has a natural patina and has been very well cared for. The amethyst are clear with no damage. The weight is 52 grams.

Absolutely gorgeous is this properly signed for an early Matl by Matilde Poulat. Excellent carving on the birds and a natural dark patina. The amethyst are faceted and show beautiful color as she utilized gem quality stones in the production of her treasures early in her career. The weight is 82 grams of masterful quality. This I would say is of medium size with a drop that spans 5in. across (includes the lead in link) and 3in. tall. Very special, just LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!

This William Spratling necklace is properly signed as shown with both the Spratling circle and oval. There are 9 rings going around the drop and 5 dangles that are the exact configuration as the Spratling Hallmark site. The weight is 118 grams and with an approximate wearable length of 17 in. The center link drop is 2.5in. across and 2.5in. tall. No damage or flaws with the necklace and is properly attached so there will be no flipping when worn. The hand chasing is deep and lends itself to the...

An extremely rare Antonio Pineda necklace this modernist beauty I am presenting here is wrought in his favorite fine .970 silver alloy, oxidized in the design's recesses and embellished with ten gorgeous, luminous soft white pearls. Cascading from an elaborate knot that forms the necklace's central station, the pearls rest graciously on the collar bone and they look fantastic against a black background. Shown on p. 147 in "Silver Seduction", the official catalogue for Pineda's retrospective exhi...

Stunning Antonio Pineda Mexican modernist silver and black onyx necklace, this too is wrought in the maestro's favorite fine, .970 alloy in a variation of his "crescents" design. There isn't much one can say about Antonio jewelry, at least not more than a few good photos can say, but let me express my admiration for the magical way he articulates his creations so as to sit perfectly where they should and at the same time showcase the design's sculpturality in the best possible light. I have to a...

Margot de Taxco's des. no 5247 is a modernist "beaded wave" creation and presented here is a set comprised of bracelet and matching clip-on earrings. I will dare say that Margot did not delve too much into modernism but whenever she did it, the results were equally inspired and carefully crafted as the rest of her work. The sculptural quality of the undulating links is matched by the curves of the semi-spheres set within them in a channel that is both pierced and contained by a raised border. Th...

Beautiful and rare vintage sterling pendant/pin on black velvet cord with sterling tips by Mexican Modernist Salvador Teran. It is a wonderful abstract design of overlapping planes. The pendant/pin, including the bail, measures 3 1/4" long and 1 1/8" wide. It is on its original black velvet cord with sterling tips. This cord is 26" end to end. The necklace weighs 40 grams total and all pieces are in excellent original condition. It was perhaps never worn. Signed as shown. A terrific mid-century ...

Vintage Sigi Pineda Mexican silver "peas in a pod" bracelet, this is one of my favorite designs by the Taxco modernist. Wrought in sterling silver the links have been darkened with "metallic black" niello that sets the graduated sphere appliques off in the most dramatic way. The beads have actually been riveted onto the links - not just simply soldered on - and their brushed finish contrasts beautifully with the links' smooth surface. Sigi Pineda was a prolific designer and this bracelet is one ...

Bearing a combination of hallmarks that dates it around 1939 this William Spratling ring is wrought in high purity .980 silver and has developed the most amazing patina during its long and - I am sure - happy life. According to Goddard, Spratling used to refer to this design as the "crowned pyramid", an appellation that makes more sense if one looks at the matching bracelet from above as it lays on a flat surface. Not an over-complicated design, it does, however, gain sculpturality and substanti...

Unadulterated commitment to minimalism - this is the statement this Antonio Pineda modernist bracelet makes. I have sold this specific design a couple of times in the past but its unpretentious beauty never fails to impress me. Wrought in the maestro's favorite .970 alloy, it has had a long, happy life and is now waiting for its next caretaker. It has a 6 3/4" inner circumference (clasped) with a width just shy of 1" wide and weighs a good 110.4 grams. It is fully and appropriately hallmarked w...

A very rare design to find in the form of a bracelet the "crouching man" was originally designed by Taxco's foremost modernist, Salvador Teran, and in my opinion, it is one of the most successful re-interpetations of an ancient motif within the design vernacular of the 1950s-60s. The fact that it's so difficult to find with Teran's signature drives prices high up and makes examples by different makers sought after as well. The hinged bracelet I am presenting here is made by a Taxco maestro whose...

Inspired by ancient Aztec and Maya glyphs and stamps this Mexican silver necklace by Gerardo Lopez combines figural overlay with niello to create an eye-catching example of Taxco's "archeological" style. Birds of prey, warriors, the divine monkey Ozomahtli and, of course, Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, are represented in the trapezoid links, the actual figures glistening against the sterling backdrop's metallic black. A great example of Gerardo's attention to detail and uncompromising craf...

William Spratling signed chain necklace is an early first phase masterpiece design. The necklace has a width of one inch wide and 5mm thick. This beauty is fluid in it's motion with a length of 17.25 inches long. The weight is 304 grams of almost pure silver which is visual as a very white silver. The ridge down the center of the chain adds great depth and dimension. . When worn everyone around you will recognize that this is a very special necklace and not an ordinary chain. Hand made with no d...

In 1952 award winning Sigi Pineda opened his own shop in Taxco. These pieces marked and numbered Plateros (enough of the mark is there for easy identification) are some of his best designs. This rare marking did not last long as he soon changed the name of his shop to Sigi. The drop is 4 inches across and 3.25 inches tall from the sides. The pectoral takes sweeps and swirls so it is measured with the highest point. The entire necklace is hand chased. The silver is thick and masterful weighing 76...

Spratling used the jaguar in several designs including his iconic Double Jaguar necklace and his large brooches both in amethyst and tortoise. This unusual bracelet measures 7" long x 1 1/8" high and weighs 101 grams. Each of the hand hammered, curved discs carry an applied repousse jaguar with half dome ball. Beautiful vintage condition and patina. A three link version of this bracelet is pictured on p. 25 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. Also shown on G...