This beautifully hand forged pin was designed by Mexico City artist Matilde Poulat c. 1930-40's. The pin measures 2" X 2" & weighs 20 grams. Penny Morrill explains on p. 217 of her book MEXICAN SILVER that the horizontal "S" is the symbol of happiness & the cascabeles signify fidelity. The pin is in excellent, unpolished condition. Both the pin back & safety lock are in fine working order. Signed Matl & 925 on reverse...
Frank Patania Sr. (1899-1964) designed this textured necklace in the 1950's. The center panel measures 1 1/4" high x 1 5/8" across. The wearable length is 17" and can be adjusted down to 15" if desired. The necklace weighs 46 grams & is in beautiful condition with a warm, aged patina. Patania's FP STERLING hallmarks are found on the back of the necklace.
Spratling designed this lovely hand carved rosewood necklace and bracelet in the 1940's. Both pieces are inlaid with thick sterling silver wire. The necklace has a wearable length of 15 1/2". The rosewood crescent is 4 1/4" across.
The front of the bracelet is 1 1/2" high. It will fit up to a 6 1/2" wrist...
This Antonio Pineda necklace is composed of eleven diamond shaped pyramidal onyx stones which are framed by silver "X" links. The clasp is a tongue in box which is a silver pyramidal shape as well. It's a design which is rarely seen, and a superb modernist piece which is fully articulated and lays perfectly on the neck. It's difficult to measure, so I've shown it against a ruler. I would say it fits more like a choker necklace and is meant to be worn higher on the neck...
Constructed in the mid 1930's, this early 980 sterling Spratling design measures 7" long and will fit up to a 6 3/4" wrist. The piece weighs 51 grams and is in excellent condition with a beautifully aged patina. This design is featured on page 60 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENISSANCE by Penny Morrill. The bracelet also appears on Goddards' spratlingsilver.com where it is noted that Spratling referred to this design as the "pulsera de cocos"...
The early Aguilar hallmarks on this piece indicate it was designed and made between 1948-1955. Weighing 90 grams the bracelet measures 1" X 7" but will comfortably fit up to a 6 3/4" wrist. The bracelet has a beautifully aged patina with some surface wear & a pin head size ding noticed on close inspection. This bracelet is pictured on p. 64 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny C. Morrill.
This carved rough cut fire opal ring was constructed circa 1950's and is a size 6 1/2. The rectangular stone is 3/4" X 5/8". The stone is set in a silver frame and rises 3/8" high. Hallmarked ANTONIO TAXCO SILVER MADE IN MEXICO. The worn outline of the eagle stamp can be seen. Some surface wear on close inspection. Beautiful colors within seem to dance as the ring moves in the light.
Spratling was known to keep pet parrots and other animals on his ranch in Taxco. This handmade and finely detailed inspiration is called Lorenzo. He measures 4 1/2" long and weighs 60 grams. The bezel set amethyst measures 1 3/4" long. Both silver and stone are in beautiful condition. Spratling 1940's hallmarks are on the reverse. This design is pictured in MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk...
This rare, vintage, hand forged silver necklace was designed by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling. The necklace is 18" long and weighs 80 Grams. The piece is in beautiful condition. The slide in clasp is in fine working order as is the attached safety chain. The WS hallmark with eagle 30 stamp is on the clasp.
This design appears to be Spratling's take on the Byzantine design.
This early, hand-forged sterling silver rope buckle designed by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling measures 1 3/4" X 1 3/4" and weighs 35 grams. The buckle will take up to a 1 3/8" wide strap. The condition is excellent with a beautifully aged patina. Spratling hallmarks on reverse.
This bold sterling silver belt buckle was designed and signed in the 1940's by Taxco, Mexico designer William Spratling. Weighing a hefty 35 grams the buckle measures 1 7/8" X 1 3/4" & will take a 1 1/4" wide strap. Beautiful condition and patina. No dents or dings. Fully hallmarked WS TAXCO 980 on the reverse. This design is pictured on p.35 of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk, p. 172 of MEXICAN JEWELRY by Pack & Davis & on p. 108 of SPRATLING SILVER by Cederwall & Riney.
This bracelet measures 7" long with the largest charm measuring 2" and is in excellent condition. One charm carries the hallmark SPRATLING OF MEXICO SILSON INC.
During their 5 year partnership in the 1940's, Spratling provided his original designs to Victor Silson who produced the designs using silver plated pewter. In her very informative book MEXICAN SILVER, Penny Morrill provides details about the years of the partnership and production of the Spratling designs.
Aguilar uses turquoise cabs in this unusual example of his braided wire bracelet which is most often seen with silver domes at the bracelet's ends. Also unusual is the petite size of the cuff. The inside measures 4 3/4" end to end with a one inch gap opening. It is 3/8" wide at the center front and 3/4" high at the turquoise cabs. The wire design is somewhat flexible allowing for a bit more length. The patina is excellent. The stones are rich in color. One stone has a pinhead size nick...
Spratling often used the butterfly in his jewelry and object designs. His rare bezel set amethyst and sterling silver tray measures 3 3/4" X 3 3/4" and weighs 72 grams. The piece is in beautiful condition. Spratling's hallmarks and eagle 30 impressed on the reverse.
This sterling silver brooch and pendant was handmade c. 1960's by Mexico City artist Anna Morelli (1921-2008)...
Following in the tradition of Mexico City “jeweled” jewelry closely associated with Matilde Poulat, this Mexican Deco silver and amethyst cross pendant necklace is not signed for maker yet its rich patina, beautiful stones and exceptional chain more than compensate for the absence. I could hardly exaggerate how rare it is to find a repousse chain of this beauty, let alone one adorned with richly colored amethyst cabs. The stones’ circular shape is cleverly reflected in the beading on the c...
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. The ring at hand, however, habitually referred to as a “cha cha” ring, I always associate with the roaring epoch of C...
Referred to as the “shells” or sometimes even “snails” bracelet, Margot de Taxco’s des. 5104 is a series of fleshy, perfectly swirling repousse links that feel so comfortable around the wrist, you might take them as an extension of your body. The example at hand vibrates with that warm light only well-aged, well-loved silver acquires and the thick sterling sheet used to craft the bracelet has allowed it to mature without burdening it with the scars and blemishes of age. Measuring a wea...