This early-mid 1940's William Spratling necklace is a magnificent showpiece. The tassel centerpiece features flawlessly inlaid azur-malachite with mesmerizing shades of blue and green. From Spratling's first design period. Measures a closed, wearable length of 20.5", with a hefty weight of 90.8 grams. The center pendant measures 3.5" wide, 2.5" tall. Signed and hallmarked with the WS Print Circle and Sterling. Fold over clasp...

Circa 1940's, here is a superb pin produced by Chato Castillo. Chato Castillo apprenticed with Matilde Poulat. In the Davis/Pack book "Mexican Jewelry", it's noted that Chato's pieces are all one of a kind. He left William Spratling's Taller de Las Delicias in 1939 to help his brothers start Los Castillo. Many of his early designs were also used as prototypes for pieces later produced by Los Castillo. Measuring 5" tall, 2 1/8" wide, this pin is a sight to behold...

Circa pre-1948, this large sterling silver brooch was produced by Doris Silver / Corpus Artisans. It's a highly detailed exquisitely crafted pin with a floral design. Measures 3" tall, 2 1/2" wide. Weight is 24.7 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Doris Silver Corpus Artisans Mexico". In excellent vintage condition. Pin closes with a roller.

Maestro C. Molina is one of those “enigmatic” figures of Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance. Even in Bille Hougart’s seminal work on hallmarks and makers there is minimal information about him - namely, two or three examples of the way his jewelry is hallmarked and the photos are really difficult to read...

Bearing the signature of maestro Barrera this carefully made figural brooch depicts a richly clad person, most probably a nobleman or priest, with hands forming a very distinct gesture as if he takes part in a ritual or is performing a dance. Barrera , I suspect, worked in Mexico City, and created some impressive jewelry in the style associated with it...

Circa pre-1948, this bracelet was produced by M. Velazquez. Velazquez was known for his superb repoussé silver work, and this piece is a killer example. Composed of five floral panels, each with a coral center, the design is elaborate and speaks to the amazing skill of this artisan. The center panel is 1 5/8" wide, and this bracelet measures a closed, wearable length of 6 7/8". Seamless when closed. Deep, rich patina. Signed and hallmarked M. Velazquez Made in Mexico 925...

The "WAVY BOW" pin is one of the rarest and LARGEST sterling pins by the famous designer William Spratling, Mexico, c.1940. This glorious HANDMADE` piece of art measures 6 1/2" by 2 7/8" and is signed "SPRATLING SILVER(in oval) WS(in circle-around which says) SPRATLING MADE IN MEXICO". The design is a stylized generous dotted bow looping around with 7 buttercup flowers peeking through the bow. Photographed on page 122 in "WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE"...

A smashing duo in the index of mid-20th century Mexican jewelry design, Cecilia and Tono have created some of the most amazing pieces. More often than not their creations are re-interpretations of ancient motifs with a modernist twist and adaptations of old techniques and materials to fit their contemporary vision...

Circa 1941-1950, this extremely rare Antonio Pineda pin is a book-piece shown on p. 89 of Silver Seduction: The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda.

Measuring 3 1/8" tall, this pin has stunning detail and is exquisitely crafted. The center fuchsia flower dangles freely...

This mid-century Margot de Taxco brooch is likely one of a kind. The Victorian era high relief Greek goddess is hand-carved and exquisitely detailed. It's either hardstone or black lava, and Margot designed the silver setting expressly to fit the cameo, using a Greek motif with black enamel. Measures 2 3/8" x 2 3/16", with a weight of 35.8 grams...

This mid-century masterpiece is the work of Felipe Martinez, whose shop was called Piedra Y Plata.

The hand-carved and polished amethyst face is a gorgeous shade of purple and the repoussé silver work is magnificent. Earrings are obsidian. Recesses are oxidized, and the design shows great depth and dimension.

Can be worn both as a pin or pendant.

Measures 2 3/8" tall, 1 11/16" wide.

Weight is 39.1 grams.

Signed and hallmarked with...

A glorious emulation of Spratling's "Aztec Sun" design, the early Mexican Deco silver and amethyst cuff at hand combines repoussage and overlay with cleverly applied oxidation that adds more depth and drama to an already stunning bracelet. This is a generously proportioned piece so if you always craved a cuff like it but couldn't find one to fit, don't miss this opportunity. If its rich purple stones, the deeply chased repousse and appliques and those daring slender silver rays bursting out of t...

Dating early 1940's, this is a rarely seen Los Castillo necklace. Likely a Margot design, as she was married to Antonio Castillo at that time. It's a gorgeous piece, with the centerpiece measuring 4 5/8" across, 3" tall. Lays perfectly on the neck, and looks spectactular on. Closed, wearable length is 16". Weight is 92.6 grams. Collector quality, with no issues whatsoever. Excellent in every way.

Maestro Velazquez is one of my favorite early Mexican silversmiths. Based on the hallmarks on his work, he was most probably based in Mexico City and his creations are almost always in the so-called Mexico City style of repousse. Very well made and carefully finished, this figural fish brooch is also characterized by a fun, cartoon-ish air that will put a smile on your face every day of the year. Measuring 2 1/4” tall by 1 3/8” wide it weighs 11.0 grams and is marked with maker’s signatu...

This necklace was produced by P. Ochoa in Mexico City during the 1930's - 1940's. One seldom comes across the work of this silversmith, whose work closely mirrors that of Matilde Poulat. This necklace is hand-wrought with a carved onyx face/mask sitting within a highly detailed repoussé headdress. The centerpiece measures 1 13/16" x 1 15/16". End to end, which is also closed, wearable length, measures 21". Weight is 63.4 grams. Signed and hallmarked "P Ochoa 925 M". Collector...

Over the years of my career as a vintage Mexican jewelry dealer I have come to love and appreciate the "mask" pieces created by the Los Ballesteros workshop. I have to admit that this was not a "love-at-first-sight" affair. On the contrary, it took me some time to realize that prolific though they might have been, especially in the post-1980 years which witnessed a drop in creativity as well, the specific workshop excelled in the production of superb jewelry centered by carved stone effigies. Th...

One of the most talented, innovative maestros of Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance, Jose Luis Flores created some amazing designs that were sold not only under his own name but bore the hallmarks of Miguel Martinez, Emma Melendez and Rubi Ramirez as well. His slick designs, obviously influenced by modernist principles, are imaginative; the finishing on his jewelry flawless and their appeal timeless - no wonder he was the genius behind many pieces that came out in the market with Hector Aguil...

This wonderful 1940's, Mexican necklace consists of decorative, linked hearts that meet to form a pendant of 3 hearts with a central cone-shaped ornament. The hearts have a lovely, foliate, stamped, raised design complimented by a small, bezel set, turquoise cabochon (in different shades of blue and green). The necklace is 20” long. Each heart measures 5/8” x 5/8” (at its longest and widest). The central pendant, marked “MEXICO SILVER” on the back, measures 2” x 1 3/8”. This p...