Salvador Teran was a designer of note that came out of the Spratling Mexican silver era. Here we have one if his creations that is so simplistic it is timeless. The clean straight lines stand out and the V slightly perks off the chest. Wonderful with a business suit or dress. This piece is 15 inches in wearable length but also is included with this is a custom extender that makes it 17.75in. which is well executed in itself...

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...

Working out of San Miguel de Allende, Carmen Beckmann is one of the “second generation” (if I may be allowed the term here) designer / silversmiths who contributed to Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance. In her work, Beckmann is often inspired by ancient Maya and Aztec motifs to which she adds her unique modernist “twist” - quite successfully in my opinion at least...

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...

Demanding and difficult, onix negro (black onyx) is a technique by which the classic art of stone inlay is reversed; instead of setting stone within a silver frame, it is now silver shapes that are placed in a flat piece of black onyx. Devised by the Los Castillo at the beginning of the 1950s, onix negro was practiced by a few other maestros as well with results that are definitely different and can be quite impressive...

Massive Los Ballesteros Mexican silver pendant, layered, adorned with beading and oxidation, in a convex shape that pushes the huge citrine centering it out at you - this is one of the most impressive pendants of theirs I have seen. For me it betrays a distinct Spanish Colonial influence as it based on the ornate order medals royals around the world like to bestow on select individuals to show favor and appreciation...

This vintage, handwrought 990 sterling silver bracelet was designed c. 1940-45 by Taxco, Mexico artist Hector Aguilar. Weighing 40 grams the bracelet measures 6 3/4" long x 1 1/4" wide. Clasp and attached safety chain are tight and secure. Excellent condition and patina.

Housing a polished obsidian cabochon with warm, shimmering golden depths this vintage Mexican silver bracelet bears the signature of Sigi Pineda, one of Taxco’s foremost modernist designers. A prolific creator, Sigi was at his best when he worked within the confines of minimalism - the bracelet presented here, a hinged bangle, is just such an example...

Carved in translucent amethyst the “mask” adorning the Piedra y Plata silver ring presented here bespeaks Felipe Martinez’s talent as a sculptor. His jewelry, always combining sterling with the most amazing stones, showcases some of the best lapidary work in the world of vintage Mexican jewelry and his “masks”, I consider some of the most evocative, spiritual examples in the field...

In the early 1940's Spratling designed this sterling silver and enamel pin to raise money for the Mexican Red Cross. It measures 1" across. Guest curator Penny Morrill included this design in the museum exhibit WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE. It's pictured on p. 36 of her book that accompanied the exhibition. The pin is also pictured on Phyllis Goddard's spratlingsilver.com where she explains that this is the only known example of Spratling enameling...

A Maestro from the Spratling era but with a Mexico City designation and with a conjoined HT hallmark built this necklace of thick silver weighing approximately 77 grams. The silver pearls are without dents and may show reflections. The length is 15in. and height is one inch tall. It lays smooth against the skin and for a shorter necklace that is worn higher up it feels barely there. Striking presence, just LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!

This pair of Matl earrings are of the double birds design which is quite scarce. They are unmarked and came from a hallmarked, matching Matl necklace and bracelet parure in my collection. Many parure earrings are not hallmarked. However, they are unmarked and the price reflects such. They are 1.25 in. wide and 2 in. long. The carving on the tops is exceptional. They are screwbacks and could be converted to posts. Please call with any questions.

Inspired by ancient Inca motifs this 1950s Industria Peruana silver and 18k yellow gold necklace is a classic example of the best jewelry that came out of Peru around the middle of the 20th c.. Hand-hammered sterling links feature figural appliques on their slightly concave faces, the same combination of silver and gold also used to form the circular connectors...

One of the best Taxco modernists Enrique Ledesma was successful not only as a jewelry designer but also as a mosaicist and a lapidary. Two of his favorite materials, sterling silver and stone, are combined here in a classic for the maestro design. Minimalist, quite geometric with clean, easy to follow lines, the necklace's only luxury seems to be the saturated, rich green of the chrysocolla (I think!) trapezoids...

How often does one find an Enrique Ledesma starburst pendant? And if one does come upon an example, how often is it of such astonishing proportions? Let me answer my own question then - not often at all! Yet here I am presenting you with one and it is spectacular. Having a huge flat-cut color-change sapphire (synthetic corundum) at its heart , the pendant shoots out eight elegant sterling rays, their slender bodies curving away from the center to end in flattened drop shapes...

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...

Perfectly carved and housed in a monumental sterling silver setting, this vintage Los Ballesteros “mask” ring is definitely a statement-making piece. For me it is all the more appealing because the stone changes color as one descends from the “mask’s” forehead to the chin, going from purple to a semi-translucent white. The effect is visually attractive as it somehow bestows age and wisdom to the tranquil face. Currently a sz 5 US (a good jeweler could re-size it, if needed) the ring ha...

Based in Mexico City Plateria FarFan created some of the most impressive and well-made collar necklaces, many in the multi-row "mesh" style and others in puzzle “Cleopatra style” designs. The necklace presented here is one of the latter, a pretty handsome one at that and a favorite of mine for the comfortable, just-at-home way in lies around the neck. I consider myself most lucky because I have also the matching bracelet to it and even though the two will be listed separately, there is nothi...