NUPTIAL OCTAGONAL SEWING BOX

Traditional Korean octagonal sewing box sent to a bride-to-be from a groom-to-be, as a light-weight paper-mache gem but with the sense of profound presence in such largeness, shape, and lovely color pattern reminded of ‘Obangsaek’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obangsaek), mid-late 20th century, approx. H 24cm (9.44in), D 32.5cm (12.79in)...

In my opinion the best Mexican modernist designer, Salvador Teran was a maestro of many talents and created some of the most striking pieces of Taxco jewelry. Offered here is his signature "Moon and Star" bracelet, which aptly demonstrates his ability to create exceptional minimalist pieces. The bracelet has an inner circumference of 6 1/2" and is ideal for smaller to medium wrists. Its face is approx. 1 3/4" square and the width of the two "wings" tapers from 1" to 3/4"...

Sold, no price, no info. Pair of bench made Native American vintage Sterling Silver rings, one with a Turquoise & Coral stones, both signed: BAKER JEWELRY L & B on either side of a Native American Eagle mark & STERLING. Sold, no price, no info

Based on pre-Colombian motifs, a pair of Hector Aguilar Taller Borda dangle earrings wrought in the maestro's favorite .940 alloy and simply gorgeous. The set has already been converted to posts by a previous owner so it's easy to wear yet has all its patina and its hallmarks intact. Each earring is 1 1/2" long by 7/8" wide and the set's weight registers at 15.7 grams...

Margot de Taxco vintage Mexican silver bracelet, this is the widest version of the Hibiscus design and its matching necklace is also available in my store – you can see the demi together in the next to last photo. One of the maestra’s romantic creations this is nevertheless not your fragile, wimpy bracelet – generous links, excellent detail and meticulous finishing make for a piece that will never go unnoticed...

Antonio Pineda's wave is one of his most stunning designs. The links form a deep swirl to a button top that flows from link to link. The weight is a monstrous 218 grams of silver. The thickness at the highest point is 10mm. The length is approximately 17in. of wearable length. Properly hallmarked as shown. Finding a condition of no issues of any kind is also a delight. A must have for collectors and never goes out of style.

Unusually romantic for Antonio Pineda, this is one of his sweetest designs that can easily be worn by a young lady which is not always the case with his jewelry...

A vintage 18” long amethyst bead necklace consists of 38, 10 millimeter natural amethyst beads. The clasp is a 14Kt yellow gold 7 millimeter spring ring with a jump ring. This necklace is an amethyst lover’s dream. It is perfect for every wardrobe.

A beautiful sterling and large center turquoise stone by Navajo Kee Joe Benally who began producing pieces in the 1950's. This bracelet was made by him during his time as a benchsmith at the Woodards Indian Shop. Measuring 5 1/2" around in the inside plus an additional 1" opening, it is 3/4" wide at the front middle area of the stone and tapers to 1/2" at the terminals. Weighing 59 grams, it is in fine condition and signed as shown...

An iconic design for Salvador Teran - and possibly one of my absolute favorite designs in Mexican silver ever - this is a pair of "Dancers" earrings. Teran's signature abstraction is clearly evident here as is the innovative way he used the "shadowbox" technique. Measuring 1 1/16" by 7/8" the earrings weigh 14.8 grams and are in excellent vintage condition with fantastic patina and their oxidation in very good shape...

Spectacular design and execution in this sterling and saw tooth bezel set coral ring by Santo Domingo silversmith Julian Lovato. He began working in 1938 and was a silversmith for Frank Patania Sr. in the Thunderbird Shop. This ring was made during his time there as it has his own signature as well as the Patania Thunderbird Shop mark. Julian Lovato has been the winner of numerous awards for his fine creations. This ring is a size 7 1/4 and the face measures 1/2" long and 7/8" wide...

The second Margot de Taxco zodiac piece currently in my inventory, this Libra pendant has all the qualities of her astrological series; visual interest, sculpturality and a design so successful that it immediately relates to the sign it represents. I have paired it with a hand-wrought Mexican chain of the same period so you can wear it as a necklace or alternatively, enjoy it as a charm with your vintage charm bracelet...

Navajo Kenneth Begay (1913-1977) is often referred to as the father of modern Navajo jewelry having been one of the very first to depart from the traditional Navajo style. This exquisite sterling cuff stands as a remarkable Modernist work of art. Whether on the wrist, a shelf or a coffee table, it is a magnificent sculpture. Measuring 6 1/2" around in the inside plus a 1" opening, it is 1 5/8" wide at the scrolling terminals...

Beautiful and rare demi parure consisting of a fringed bib necklace and matching clipback earrings, in carved translucent Bakelite simulating amber or jade, and goldtone metal. Circa 1960. Marked GM in a circle, and also with the original paper hang tag, which is marked IMITATION JEWELLERY, MADE IN (I)TALY (the I is missing). The Bakelite tests positive using Simichrome. With slide clasp. The Bakelite is glowingly translucent and has excellent marbling...

Sold. Well made Signed CLARENCE LONG Size 9 3/4 Sterling Silver Ring W applied Chased leaves, flowers, spirals and granulation. Measures 1 3/4 north to south and just under 3/4" wide. Very nice! Sold, no price no info available

Navajo Kenneth Begay has been called the "father of modern Navajo jewelry". From 1946-1964, he worked as a benchsmith at the White Hogan Shop in Scottsdale, Az...

The Yoruba Tribe of Southwest Nigeria are well known for the dramatic beadwork. Beaded Yoruba crowns were formed from hides scraped free of hair. and were worn only by kings for ceremonial occasions, Beads are considered sacred to the Yoruba. The faces on the crowns represented honor of the ancestors, and serve as reminders of the royal line, The inclusion of birds refers to the spirit world and the king's ability to mediate between the realms of human beings and spirits, the secular world...

Beautifully rendered emulations of Margot de Taxco's koi fish earrings, this pair is signed by a maker who is known among collectors of vintage Mexican jewelry for his prowess in the art of repoussage and the high quality of his work. I think the point I am trying to make is amply illustrated by the bold repousse, the dark oxidation in the recesses of the design and the care that went into the finishing touches. As products of a minimally mechanized, hand-based process, the earrings differ sligh...

Heavy, thick-walled Orrefors Ariel vase with bands of repeating geometric shapes; circles, squares and triangles in dark, smokey (almost black) glass; complimented by the silvery airtraps; the whole cased in clear crystal glass. The color varies in intensity depending on lighting. Vase has solid band of color at rim. A halo of blue-green glass shows around portions of the vase and is visible in the photographs. Vase measures 5.75 inches (14.6 cm) tall and is 4 inches (10.2 cm) wide by 4 inches (...

A great pair of mid-century modern 970 silver and turquoise earrings by Antonio Pineda. Inspired by the Greek key design, these screwback earrings measure 1 1/8" long and 3/4" at the widest point. Beautiful original condition and hallmarked with the Antonio crown , eagle ,Hecho En Mexico 970. These are unique and awesome!

Iittala "i-glass" or "bird beak" decanter in blue designed by Timo Sarpaneva. Engraved on the base "T. Sarpaneva 2500". The decanter measures 7 3/4 inches (19.7 cm) tall and has a diameter of 3 1/2 inches (9 cm). Condition is very good, with very minor light surface scuffs; no chips, cracks or repairs. Circa 1960

Wonderful Modernist design in this sterling pin/pendant with tumbled stones of aventurine, onyx and jasper by Taxco silversmith Salvador Teran. Measuring 2 1/2" by 2", it is in fine original condition and weighs 42 grams. Signed as shown. Can be worn vertically on a chain or as a pin any way you please.

Orrefors Ariel vase designed by Ingeborg Lundin, rows of squares formed by silvery air traps on a black background, encased in a thick layer of crystal glass. The vase is marked ORREFORS/Ariel No 328 H/Ingeborg Lundin; and dates from 1960. The vase stands 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) Tall and is 5.5 inches (13.9 cm) in diameter. In excellent condition, with no chips, cracks or repairs.

Truly dramatic Margot de Taxco silver earrings with pronounced repousse work and fantastic oxidation that accentuates their three-dimensional quality. Inspired by Mexico's rich folk culture their design's earthiness is further brought out by the warm patina they developed over time. The earrings are 1 3/8" long by 1 1/16" wide and weigh 13.6 grams (for the set). They are marked "MARGOT DE TAXCO" and bear design no "5269" and though there is no Eagle assay mark here I would date them in the 19...

Gorgeous set of Margot de Taxco dangle earrings, I believe this design is rather difficult to find in this form and I am thrilled to present it here. Ovals, curves, spheres and domes all combine to create a delightful pair of teardrop treasures that measure 1 7/8" long by 3/4" wide. The earrings weigh 14.6 grams (for the set) and are fully and appropriately marked with Margot's signature, Eagle 16 assay mark and des. no 5740 (I believe; it's double stamped and difficult to read). Dating in the ...

Beautiful, elegant sterling silver necklace by Jens Tage Hansen, a Modernist silversmith working in Copenhagen 1954 - 1964. It measures 15" end to end and is 1" wide. Weighing 66grams, it is in fine original condition and signed as shown. A very striking piece on the neck.

A very interesting yet no less monumental bracelet by Enrique Ledesma in which the maestro combines modernist silver work with curved stone tubes left unpolished- a rather unusual choice for him. I am intrigued by the combination and think that the stones are actually malachite with veins of pyrite in them. Vividly colored, the bracelet has a stunning presence because of its magnificently architectural links and it feels divinely around the wrist. It has an inner circumference of 6 1/2" (claspe...

Among Gerardo Lopez's most collected clamper designs, I love to refer to this specific creation as his "flames" bracelet because of the way the repousse rises in vivacious twists and twirls. This is indeed an impressive piece - like most of Lopez's clampers are - but not overwhelmingly involved and a sheer pleasure to wear. Its patina is warm and its hinge is tight as if it has been treated very gently throughout its long life. The clamper has an inner circumference of 6 7/8" and its width var...

Slick, minimalist and yet so eye-catching, a pair of Margot de Taxco silver and enamel earrings with distinctive trapezoidal dangles. Just note the way the silver polka dots jump out of the white enamel background! The earrings measure 1 3/8" long by just over 1" wide (at their widest) and weigh 18.4 grams (for the set). Fully hallmarked as shown with Margot's name as well as Eagle 16 and des. no 5586 and in excellent vintage condition.

LARGE Chambri / Aibom Pottery Jar - Papua New Guinea (Ex. 1970's Collection)

This rare pottery jar was part of a large collection of artefacts collected from the region of the Sepik River, Papau New Guinea in the early 1970's. Most of the collection comprised wooden artefacts, but there were also some much rarer pottery items that we were able to acquire. This particular jar is from the village of Aibom which is the only village in this region to have clay suitable for this type of pottery, ...

A signature design for Margot de Taxco, the koi silver and amethyst clamper bracelet is a must-have for the dedicated collector and the lover of things beautiful alike. Executed in dramatic repoussage that looks more like sculpting because of its depth and the thick silver sheet used to craft it, Margot's original is far above and beyond all contemporary emulations be they signed by a known maker or anonymous. I leave the rest to the descriptive power of photography. The clamper has a 6 1/4" in...

Classic 1960s Sigi Pineda Mexican silver modernist brooch in a design that looks to me like an angelfish albeit rendered in the most minimalist fashion. I consider Sigi's "niello" line one of the most inspired periods in his admittedly long and prolific career. I find that the metallic black/grey oxidation applied to some of the silver surfaces adds unsurpassed depth and sculpturality, something that in more traditionally crafted pieces is achieved by repoussage and hand-chasing. The fluidity of...

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...

A very stylish 1960-s period 14Kt white gold sapphire and diamond ring centered by a 9.2 X 6.7 millimeter 1.76Ct oval natural sapphire with excellent quality and great color. The center sapphire is flanked on either side by a brilliant cut diamond, which gives the ring an elegant tailored appearance. The approximate total weight of the two high quality diamonds is 0.45Ct.

This sterling silver brooch and pendant was handmade c. 1960's by Mexico City artist Anna Morelli (1921-2008). The piece measures 3 1/4" X 2 1/2" and is in beautiful condition. Fully signed by the artist on the reverse. In 1960 Morelli was an early founding member of the Bazar del Sabado in Mexico City along with Ricardo Salas Poulat where she sold her earliest jewelry designs. Morelli achieved international fame when she was asked to design the jewelry for the Conan the Destroyer film. Mexican...

Classic 1960's large 14Kt yellow gold cultured pearl and diamond heart shaped charm / pendant / locket, decorated by 32 cultured pearls and a small diamond. The locket measures 1 7/16" in width and 1 19/16" in height.