Properly signed FD for Fred Davis this is a 2in. tall, striking bracelet. Solid, thick, heavy and 7.5in. long with the shield shape glowing from higher than 925 silver. You do not see this extra large size very often so this is a rare opportunity to add to your collection. 86 grams of masterful workmanship I love to see the hand hammering on the underneath from it's making. Goes with anything you wear. Some tarnish and reflection in some of the photos. No damage or flaws...
Big and dramatic, this gold plate brooch by William deLillo depicts a lizard or gecko, his body with four raised sections, all four feet with splayed toes.
It measures 4' wide, 2 1/2" high, and has a c clasp closure with safety catch.
It is signed on the back in an oval cartouche with the deLillo name.
Gold plate over brass, there are some sections where the plate is rubbed a bit, and there are some very small spots, all visible in close up photos.
This form is quite rare, and like some of d...
This rosewood and sterling silver bracelet was designed and signed circa early 1940's by Taxco Mexico artist William Spratling. Bracelet measures 1 3/8" wide with an interior length of 7". Comprised of 14 hinged panels each mounted with 3 pyramid shapes. Weight 110 grams. Pin hinge closure with safety chain works perfectly. Beautiful condition with excellent vintage patina on both wood and silver. Fully signed with Spratling's early 1940's hallmarks. This design is pictured on p...
In the 1940's Spratling designed this sculptural piece to hold a pack of cigarettes. Today it could be used as a decorative business card or pen holder on a desk or side table. Measuring 3" high and 2 1/4" across the piece is in beautiful condition. Pictured in WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE and on spratlingsilver.com.
We have a very special William Spratling Petate bracelet suitable to add to the finest collections. The weight is 156 grams and the height is 2 3/8th inches. The criss cross is hand carved. The barrels are cut on an angle providing a sleek look. The patina is dark and natural. This is a surprising design that is stunning on the underside and beautiful on the top side as well. No damage to the silver and lays perfectly on the wrist.
An astonishing Los Ballesteros Mexican silver modernist bracelet in the type of hinged bangles the workshop excelled in producing, this is a design I have never encountered before and it is literally "crowned" by the hugest quartz gem ever! The gem's color is the smokiest, deepest "whiskey" - one can feel oneself sinking in its alluring depths yet still not be able to take one's eyes off it...
41 in. long and 3/8th inch tall. The weight is 199 grams of quality silver work. We have a signature and eagle of Villasana and the finer chain hanging from the tassels which indicate the oldest rope necklaces of the era. The tassels have a beautiful brushed silver top and a braided bottom. I will be listing a smaller in diameter one this week as well. There is a clamp to go with it when tying at different lengths or just tie as shown. A picture will be added later of the clamp...
This handsome sterling silver box with hand carved malachite stone was designed by Frederick Davis (1880-1961). The hinged box measures 3 1/2" X 3 1/4" X 1 1/2" high and weighs 150 grams. In beautiful condition with no dents or dings. Davis was known to have collected stone artifacts in his travels around Mexico using them in his various silver designs. Hallmarked FD 925 on the bottom of the box.
This sleek, heavy and solid sterling silver piece was designed in the 1930's by William Spratling. Weighing 120 grams the letter opener and paperweight measures 5 inches long and is in beautiful condition with nice patina. No dents or dings. Spratling also designed a rosewood and silver version of the design shown in a picture here.
We have an old block hallmark on this lovely reliquary necklace. Original chain and has the chatelaine still with the piece that the cross hangs from. Length for the chain is 18.5in. The cross is 2.75in. long and just shy of 2.5in. across. The weight is 65 grams of thick silver. Reliquary items were and are important symbols of the day to day life in Mexico. This is a rare one and in excellent condition with no repairs or damage just LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!
Exquisite Los Ballesteros Mexican silver necklace with geometric links cut out of thick sterling sheet, this piece is adorned with eight faceted, gem quality amethysts. Securely held in place with substantial prongs, the gems are open-backed to take advantage of the sparkle that light bestows to them as it filters through. This is a dressy necklace, elegant and eye-catching, and it has all the characteristics of the best Los Ballesteros jewelry...
This sleek, modernist and eye catching brooch was designed in the 1940-50's by artist Valentin Vidauretta during his time at Hector Aguilar's Taller Borda in Taxco, Mexico. Signed Valentin jewelry designs rarely turn up. The pin measures 2 1/4" across X 1 1/4" high. Both stones & silver are in beautiful condition as is the pin back and safety lock. A Valentin bracelet of similar design is pictured on p. 113 of MEXICAN SILVER, 4th edition by Penny Morrill...
One of the rarest, in my experience, bracelets by Margot de Taxco out of her, influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, hand-hammered and oxidized line of jewelry, the Quetzalcoatl mirrored on this clamper's opposing wings is fierce and awe-inspiring. Monumental in its presence, the bracelet is an ode to Mexico's rich cultural history and definitely not a piece for the ... faint-of-heart. I am thrilled I was lucky enough to find it and am more than proud to be presenting it here...
Here is a pretty plique a jour pin in the shape of a stylized moth, German or Austrian in origin. The body has 4 colorless paste stones, and there is an emerald green paste stone in the tail. The plique shades from green to white to peach. 1-1/2” by 3/4”, and stamped “800” on the back. It is in excellent antique condition and circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included. We do lay-away.
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.
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FABULOUS iconic Armadillo design 940 silver necklace by Hector Aguilar. It is graceful and solid at the same time. The necklace measures 16 1/2" end to end and is 1 1/4" wide at the widest center oval. It is in fine original condition including the clasp and velvet. While shown here with the matching bracelet, this sale is for the necklace only as the bracelet is no longer available. Signed as shown. A must have for every Mexican Silver collection.
Fantastic and rare traditional Hopi silver overlay pendant with center coral by Mission/Hopi Preston Monongye. This is his early work, before he began using the tufa cast technique. The pendant measures 2" diameter and the bail is 3/4" long. Hanging from a traditional Hopi sterling chain that is 24" end to end, the pendant is in fine original condition with no chips or cracks to the deep red coral. Total weight is 37 grams. Signed as shown. Preston Monongye pieces are included in many museum per...
Early, rare and exquisite, this heavily detailed repousse bracelet was designed and signed c. 1940 by Mexico City Artist Matilde Poulat. The center rose panel measures 1 1/2" high. The wearable length is 6 3/4" long. It weighs a comfortable 57 grams and is in excellent condition with a beautifully aged patina. This design pictured on p. 199 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill and was included in the museum exhibit of the same title. DREAMING IN SILVER by Pen...
This is an early design properly hallmarked by Margot Van Voohries. It is also a published design in THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE BY PENNY MORRILL. The shells are 1.25in. in diameter and is open backed repousse with a weight of117 grams. No damage or repairs just, LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!
Iconic William Spratling "River of Life" bracelet in 980 silver. With hallmarks from the first design period, the cuff is 5 3/4" around in the inside with an additional 1 1/8" opening. It is 1 1/4" wide and narrows to 3/4" at the terminal ends, weighs 77 grams, and is in fine original condition with no dents or dings to the balls. Signed as shown. This is a bracelet that should be in every Mexican silver collection.
This Matl is halmarked for when Matilde Poulat was designing in her shop. The drop is 3.25 in. tall and 3 1/8th inches across. The chickies have rounded puffy bellies and are nicely carved. There is no damage to silver or stones. I categorize the size of this well done Matl as a medium size. There are 2 larger lead off links that are identical as the rest of the chain. The clasp is also jeweled ending the design with a well balanced appearance. The weight is 72 grams. The center stone is a lovel...
We are offering a signed Los Castillo bracelet with five amethyst stones. They are finer stones with minimal inclusions and truly glow. The strap type bracelet is not often used by Los Castillo and it takes on a Salvador Terran style who did produce some designs with Antonio Castillo. The diameter is 2.25in. and a weight of 102 grams of quality. All five stones sit on top of the wrist and line up small to large in their dish like setting. The largest is 1 3/8th inches tall and the smallest is al...
Handcrafted in sterling silver and chrysocolla, this V-Motion cuff was designed by William Spratling c. 1940-45. The cuff stands 1 3/4" high and will fit up to a 6 3/4" wrist. The opening at the back is 1 1/4" across. Weight is 85 grams. The cuff is in beautiful, well cared for condition with no issues. This design is most often seem with double bands of silver above and below the stones. The larger design is pictured on p. 234
of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Mo...
This sleek 1930's design by Frederick Davis features a finely detailed, hand carved malachite Aztec Warrior as the central element. Made for a smaller wrist the bracelet measures 6 1/2" long x 1 1/4" high and weighs 47 grams. Both silver and stone are in beautiful condition. Hallmarked FD on the clasp. Davis designs are included in many permanent museum collections.
This is a very rare Hector Aguilar necklace with 17 wearable inches. The weight is a tremendous 177 grams of repousse. The height is 1 and 6/8th's inches tall for a design with maximum presence. It has excellent movement and lays perfectly. No damage, just LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!
Intricately hand wrought in sterling silver, this vintage 1950's Matl pin measures 3" X 2 1/4". A rare pair of long tailed quetzal birds looking over their shoulder anchor the five articulated components. Beautifully aged turquoise beads enhance the overall design. Fully hallmarked for MATL with an assay eagle mark 129. Pinback and safety latch are tight and secure.
A custom bighorn sheep ram sterling silver and gold nuggets ring probably from the 1970s-80s. This impressive size 10-3/4 rihg features a highly detailed bighorn sheep flanked with two genuine gold nuggets. This ring measures 3/4" wide and 3/4" from nugget to nugget, it weighs 11.2 grams and it is stamped STER with an M maker's mark. The nuggets test well above our 18k acid and they are probably around 22k. This ring is in excellent condition with no monograms, dents, bends, corrosion, damag...
One of Spratling's early designs, the "ring with three cascabeles" possesses the primordial charm of ambitious beginnings that are nonetheless steeped in the creativity of ancient cultures. I believe the motif is the same here as that in the tortoise shell and silver "snake" box - the more I look at it, the more I think of writhing serpents with spotted skins. The cascabeles are simply the melodious cherry that tops an already superb piece. Even though it is obvious that the ring has been resize...
By Gugliemo Cini (1922-1979), who was born in Florence Italy, and came to the US when he was 17, settling in Boston and moving to Laguna Beach CA where he began his jewelry design and opened a studio.
Known for his fine craftsmanship and design, he created jewelry inspired by natural elements, from floral to animals, and astrological signs.
This brooch is typically well made, of heavy weight silver, with fine details. Weighs roughly 27 grams.
It measures 2 1/8" high and wide, and is detailed...
This Matl signed by Matilde Poulat is one of the nicest demi's I have seen. Signed with 2 stamps and the Matl stamp indicate an early jewel. The long tail is very rare and sought after. the chain is clustered with turqoise and half way up it meets a larger clustered jewel link that leads to the back clasp with the gorgeous S links. All this workmanship on a demi is very rare. The length is 16in. wearable and the drop is approximately 2in. by 2in. No damage to the silver and all stones are presen...
Handwrought in sterling silver & stone, this detailed 1940's pin measures 2 3/4" across X 1". Combining rich jewel tones, a complex silver background and reflected light Spratling makes his design POP. Silver, stones, and pin back are in beautiful condition. Fully hallmarked.
This design is featured in LACMA's 20th Century Mexican silver collection. Also pictured on p.97 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENIASSANCE by Penny Morrill and on Phyllis Goddard's website spratlingsilver....
Today we have a signed William Spratling silver necklace of heavy links. Each link has curvilinear ends with a silver ball centered on the link. The length is 18in. and the links are one inch tall. The condition is without dents or damage of any kind. Beautiful presence and a jewel you can go anywhere in. The weight is 107 grams of quality, just LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!
A beautiful, unique, sterling silver overlay bracelet by Burle Marx. Roberto Burle Marx was a Brazilian landscape architect and jeweler. His brother, Haroldo Burle Marx, also a jeweler , was well-known for his carved stone free form designs, but his collaborations with his brother had a much more linear, abstract feel as in this piece. So I suspect this piece was either a collaboration of the brothers, or designed and made only by Roberto. Measuring 7" end to end, it is 1 1/8" wide and weighs 62...
A Ray Tracey Navajo inlaid turquoise sterling silver pendant with feather. Famous for his high quality inlay and design, Tracey continues to make attractive and evocative jewellery. This 3 x 1-1/2" pendant features a dangly feather and it features inlaid turquoise and black onyx (or resin) in a rectangular center. It has a loop for a chain, it is signed with Tracey's RT feather mark and STERLING and it weighs 15.4 grams. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, dents, bends, corro...
Popular for centuries in jewelry-making traditions all over the world the buckle motif can be found in all forms and metals, with or without gems, quite elaborate or strikingly minimalist. This 1940s Hector Aguilar version is wrought in sterling and even though its ornamentation is kept at a bare minimum, its rendition is sculptural, an attribute that is enhanced by oxidation and the patina of time. Even better, it is adjustable and there is enough "belt" there to make it several sizes bigger th...
Antonio Pineda was a genius bringing this design to life. There is nothing like the complex design with thick cuts of onyx that surrounds the intricate center of 970 pure silver. It ties with velvet cord and is finished with large, heavy,solid silver beads. Tie it to whatever length you need for your neckline. The weight is 64 grams. Dimensions are: 2.5 in. by 2.5 in. This example is one of the finest that I have seen as all are a little bit different in size and condition just LOOK AT THAT NECK...