Spratling designed this quite rare AZTEC MASK pin in the 1930's. The pin measures 3 inches across X 1 1/4 inches high & weighs 20 grams. The WS hallmarks on the pin date the piece to the 1930's. In the 1940's Spratling added additional elements to this design as pictured on Phyllis Goddards' site spratlingsilver.com. Please see the photo of the later design from Goddard's site for comparison. The piece is in great condition. The safety on the pin back is in fine working order.

This a beautiful armadillo necklace designed by Valentin Vidaurreta and produced by Manuel Altamirano. It was also produced by Hector Aguilar. The necklace is 16 1/2" end to end and 1 1/2" wide at the center rounded square. Circa 1945-50, it is in fine original condition. The black velvet appears to be original to the piece. Signed as shown. Altimirano also worked for Hector Aguilar at the Taller Borda. His pieces with his own hallmark are scarce and this necklace is exquisite.

When I saw this necklace I was rather stunned by it's workmanship and unusual beauty. Obviously Modernist but also Brutalist. The smaller beads are also all handmade and of varied sizes. The clear stone is non purified rock crystal and in it's raw form with facets. You can see some striation inside it but it is mostly clear. The large beads have been heated up until they literally blew up. Upon cooling they shrunk inward. The artist signed as shown...

A sterling butterfly wing pin or brooch from the 1930s 1940s with a painted scene. This 1-5/8 x 11/16" pin features a tooled bezel setting of sterling silver and the natural genuine butterfly wing is intact and shows a vivid irridescent blue with no major rot or disintegration. It has a colourful reverse painted scene with two palm trees, hills and water. It is stamped T.I.M. STERLING ENGLAND, the wing is mounted under a curved crystal window and it has the original safety clasp...

Zodiac jewelry is not uncommon in the field of vintage Mexican silver yet it is mostly bracelets (charm or link), pins and combination pin/pendants that one finds...

Great Modernist design and a pretty saw tooth bezel set lapis stone in this large sterling brooch by Frank Patania Sr. Measuring 2 1/2" by 2", it weighs 20 grams and is signed as shown. Fine original condition. An unusual and bold pin from this master jeweler.

A superb, handmade, sterling bracelet featuring 4 rows of circular links with hanging tubes that all move by Mexican silversmith Teresa Camino. Her work was represented in the William Spratling Maestro De Plata exhibit and can be found on page 65 of the exhibit catalogue. She was the winner of numerous awards in Mexico and the U.S. before her death in 2003. Her work is still being produced by Albino Guitierrez, her long time silversmith and collaborator...

Signed La Estrella Taxco 980 this lotus pectoral is an exceptional work. Several artists created the Lotus design. The Taller of La Estrella produced the most beautiful pectorals and they are rare. The shop was only in business in Taxco for around 2 years. Not much is known because they were not there long but everything I have found has been astounding. This lotus has broader sweeps with the pectoral wings and the S links are longer than other makers. The drop is 4 inches long and 5 in. across...

A hand-engraved vintage Forstner sterling silver bangle bracelet c1950s. This bangle has a safety chain, it measures 2-3/8" x 2-3/16" across the interior, and it is 1/2" wide. It is decorated on one half, it has a modified tongue slide catch, and it weighs 21.9 grams. It is stamped FORSTNER STERLING MADE IN CANADA with PAT PEND on the catch, and it is in excellent condition with no dents, bends, corrosion, losses, damage or repairs...

"RA" & "LA" Cutout Cat Pin as seen on page 239 of Warman's Jewelry by Christie Romero. Maker's Mark for Rasmussen and Lassen (in business for only 10 years!). 2" and in excellent Condition!
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This amethyst ring is an iconic Antonio Pineda design, shown on p. 154 of Silver Seduction. It's a mid-century piece, collector quality, with perfectly matched amethyst cylinders which are channel set in a thick and chunky 970 silver setting. The stones are perfectly matched in color, and this ring can be worn by either a man or a woman. Measures 7 1/4 on a ring sizer, although because of the thickness and width of the band it will fit slightly smaller...

Mexican Silver Earrings that have the chased, incised, engraved style of Castillo or Aquilar. Marked: 3 initials "C.." "Mexico Sterling". Would go well with other Mexico Taxco pieces listed throughout the About Mimi's Gems catalog. 1.5" long & very nice condition. SOLD, no price, no info

The Heintz Art Metal Shop of Buffalo, New York made jewelry and decorative objects of patinated bronze with sterling overlay in cut out patterns. They were in business from 1906-1929 and although they did not sign their jewelry, their style is so distinctive it can easily be identified. This 2 1/4" by 1 1/4" pin is a fine example of the jewelry from this shop. It is in beautiful original condition and a wonderful piece of Arts & Crafts period jewelry.

Spectacular and rare this silver & onyx bracelet was designed and signed circa 1950's by Taxco, Mexico modernist artist Antonio Pineda(1919-09). Bracelet measures 1 3/4" wide with a 6 3/4" wearable length. Each link is 1/4" thick. Heavy, the bracelet weighs 152 grams...

Authentic William Spratling "RIVER OF LIFE" bracelet. This piece is featured on page 37 of the book MEXICAN SILVER by Morrill and Berk. They date it c.1940. Fabulous, classic Spratling design, this cuff bracelet measures 5 3/4" around in the inside with a 1 1/4" opening so a total 7" length and is 1 3/8" wide. It is in fine original condition with a deep patina.The next owner might like to give it a good cleaning if so desired. It weighs 88 grams and is appropriately signed for William Spratling...

SOLD. For the collector of the figural and unusual. Possible mark for a Melendez silversmith? Rafael, the uncle of Emma worked for Spratling until 1939. Ethnographic characteristics of ancient figural symbols seen at Mexican pre Columbian sites. Detailed Iguana Lizard adjustable Ring with legs, scales, open mouth and head up so that when worn toward wearer, its head rests on one's knuckle beyond bottom of finger. Presently 7.5 yet can adjust to fit the collector. 1/2 Ounce on postal scal...

Striking sterling necklace by Reveriano Castillo. He was among the first apprentices with William Spratling and later worked with Hector Aguilar at the Taller Borda. In 1952, he and Maria Castillo opened their own shop that they called "REVERI". This necklace is simple and elegant as typical of their style. It measures 16" end to end, is 1" wide and weighs 68 grams. Fine original condition and signed with his RC mark as shown. Feels and looks wonderful on the neck.

A striking and fascinating Art Moderne 970 silver pin by Antonio Pineda. The shapes and placement of the stones are intriguing. The black stripe of onyx is inlaid but the half sphere of onyx and the rectangular agate are set above the surface adding dimension. The pin measures 2 5/8" by 3/4", weighs 19 grams, and is in fine original condition. Signed for Antonio Pineda as shown. A very special Antonio piece.