The "less-is-more" philosophy of modernism and the classic, for Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance, marriage of silver and amethyst come together in this minimalist by-pass ring signed by Doris Corpus Artisans. A daring, Texas-born American who decided to move to Mexico in the 1940s, Doris Smith Chamberlin had her own workshop by 1945 and her commitment to perfection and inspired design resulted in the creation of some truly exceptional jewelry...

Circa mid-century, here is an iconic book-piece design from Margot van Voorhies Carr, who shop and work is known as Margot de Taxco.

Margot's design # 5554 is an exquisite and intricately detailed hand wrought serpent bracelet. Melange enamel sits within tiny scales in the segmented articulated links...

It's very rare to come across any jewelry by the famous Hubert Harmon making these fanciful and unique Earrings or Ear Cuffs a real treasure. Designed to wrap around the ear they feature a Wing and a Star at the top with three stars at the bottom, two of which dangle. They measure 5" long by 1 5/8" wide and together they weigh 26.7 grams. Each is hallmarked "Sterling, Hubert Harmon, Made in Mexico. In good condition with no damage noted only some light tarnish. They can be adjust slightly to fit...

This smart bar pin features loops on either side of an oval cabochon chrysoprase. It has a nice heft, and the stone is securely bezel-mounted. The back shows a sterling mark, as well as an unidentified maker’s mark of T&B or K&B. The rollover clasp is in good working order, and the stone is very slightly scratched. A well-constructed lapel or shoulder pin of clean, simple design, it measures 2 1/4 inches long by just under 1 inch wide at the center.

Spratling designed this lovely work of art in the 1940's. The sterling silver basket holds 3 hand carved chalcedony stone flowers in varying shades of color. The brooch measures 2 7/8" across X 2 1/2" high & weighs 47 grams. The pin is in beautiful condition & fully hallmarked for Spratling on the reverse. The design is pictured on spratlingsilver.com and in Phyllis Goddard's book SPRATLING SILVER: A FIELD GUIDE.

A delightful pair of cufflinks worked in 14K yellow, rose and green gold. Each cufflink depicts a woodland scene with an owl in a tree, a rabbit standing on his hind legs, various flowers and plants, and a moonlight starry sky. The combination of an owl along with a rabbit represents the concept of "night" and "day." These cufflinks were originally cuff buttons and were converted to cufflinks using the original parts. Tested and guaranteed 14K.

Origin: America, ca. 1860...

A wonderfully crafted hand wrought sterling silver pendant and chain with a central bezel set coral colored swirled agate by NYC lapidarist and jeweler, Felice Raabe Isreeli, (1915-2001).

Pendant measures 2 1/2" long including the bale and 1 1/2" across. The chain measures 20" long. Hook closure holds securely. Both pieces are marked Sterling and FELICE.

The necklace is in fine condition with a warm patina. Very intricate design.

Lovely piece.

A vintage hand made necklace and earrings set in sterling silver with teal blue enamel and what looks like a central fresh water pearl. Seven sterling shields with teal blue enamel suspended from a sterling necklace made of knotted links. Signed Carlisle Sterling on the back. Measures 16" long and closes with a secure spring clasp. Clasp is also marked sterling. Matching pierced earrings measure 1 5/8" long and 1/2" at the widest. Earring backs are marked 925...

Bird doll motif. Pre assay era Made in Mexico bird pin brooch. Early - tested at least sterling - colossal 4 3/4" north to south with 2 turquoise beads. This figural exhibits flowers in the style of Fred Davis or Matilde Poulat. Repousse and chase workmanship.
The native peoples were known to make dolls representing the local animals for their children to play. Today those same children are being taught the value in Nature Tourism...

This Scottish sterling Circa Dove gray Montrose agate anchor brooch is 1 7/8" x 1 1/8". Ca. 1880. Bright cut engraving.

Interesting vintage pin in hand-hammered copper with an overlaid sterling silver abstract representation of a female nude. This highly artistic and original pin has a tiny hallmark which I do not recognize (see photos). It measures 1.5" in length and has an older hook type clasp. In excellent condition.

A sterling silver modernist brooch by the well known silversmith, Ronald Pearson. Measures 2 1/4" long and 1 1/8" high. Has a rollover safety clasp that holds securely. Marked Pearson Sterling on the back. In very nice condition with a little tarnish. Interesting crimped design.

Ecuador - 900 silver brooch

Urn shape decorated with stylized serpent motif

2 1/4" tall x 1 3/4" across

Marked Ecuador 900

Very good vintage condition

A vintage sterling silver and enamel brooch by Margot de Taxco, (Margot Van Voorhies Carr). Blue confetti enamel in her classic swirl design #5384.

The brooch measures 1 1/2" high and almost 1 1/2" at the widest. Marked Made in Mexico Sterling, Margot de Taxco and 5384. Also marked with Eagle #16.

The clasp holds securely. In very fine condition with only minor tarnish. The enameling is vibrant.

Estate fresh.

Absolutely stunning very big Danish sterling silver modernist vintage 1960s statement size ring with luminous blue green abalone shell inlay, by Danish jewelry maker Arne Johansen. Marked 925S and DENMARK, and signed AJ. Ring size 7. Great size -- the top is 1 3/8 inches long, 5/8 inch wide, and stands 1/4 inch off the finger. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

Beautifully worked and quite generous in size this late Victorian / Edwardian locket pendant is, I am assuming, a US-made piece since it is not hallmarked at all. Elegantly monogrammed on the back, it opens to reveal a glass-protected case for the photo of your loved one...

A delightful late Victorian or Edwardian pendant in the form of a poodle jumping through a hoop. The wonderfully detailed poodle is cast in sterling silver and the hoop is 14K gold. The dog is fully three-dimensional, and the eyes are set with small pyrope garnets. The pendant is marked “14K Sterling.”

• Origin: America, ca. 1910
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 1-9/16” x 3/8” x 1-1/4”
Weight: 11.2 grams

Large sterling figual pin with fossil trilobite "fish" and two figures standing happily on it, Alaska, c.1970's. The silver figures have stone bodies. Pin measures 3" long by 2 1/8" wide. It is signed "ZD 925" and is in excellent condition. Wonderful piece.....$10 for insured USA shipping & applicable NY tax.

Spratling often used the arrow in his silver necklace, bracelet, pin and container designs. This hand forged arrow was made in his very early years in Taxco, Mexico. The pin measures an impressive 3 inches long and is beautiful condition. Both the pin back and safety lock are in fine working order. Spratling designs can be seen in many permanent museum collections.

Rebajes modernist sterling silver, turquoise, pyrite and pearl abstract necklace

Handcrafted

1950

Pendant - 2" X 2 1/4"

Chain - 23" long when extended

Very good vintage condition

Typically innovative design from revered Finnish company Kupitaank Kulta. This unusual sterling silver tension setting suspends a complex moss agate cube over a sterling dish.

Marked with the Kulta 'anvil' hallmark, and "925S" for silver fineness. The pendant measures a large 2" x 7/8" and weighs 21.8 grams. Excellent condition.

Large sterling and copper martini stir/spoon by Los Castillo, Mexico, c.1948. Hand wrought and made of heavy gauge silver, it weighs 2 1/2 troy ounces and measures 15 INCHES LONG. Design has wrapped copper braid at top and large hand hammered spoon(measures 2 1/8" by 1 5/8"). Signed "LOS CASTILLO TAXCO HANDWROUGHT (bellmark)15" and is in excellent condition. Beautiful early Los Castillo...$15 for insured USA shipping.

A Navajo sterling silver turquoise Southwest tribal cuff bangle bracelet circa 1950s. This vintage unsigned but tested silver bracelet with a fine genuine turquoise gem stone. It measures 1-1/16" across the setting and it measures 2-1/4" x 1-3/4" across the interior (this can be adjusted if you wish). The teardrop shape stone has a fine finely mottled bluish green colour and the mount has a blackened ground with twisted wirework. It weighs 14.8 grams...

These handmade, two-sided cufflinks each feature a square piece with an incised geometrical design connected by a figure-8 to a dome-shaped piece. The links are very securely soldered to each side; there is a tiny ‘ding’ to one dome. The squares measure about 5/8 inch and are marked Sterling and Taxco. Weight: 8.1 grams total

Here is a mid-20th century handmade ring of two types of wood mounted in a sterling silver frame. The wood is carved into small squares. The rectangular top is soldered to a sterling band and rises about 1/2 inch from the finger. The ring is unmarked, but tests for sterling. The top of the ring measures 3/4 inch long by 5/8 inch wide. The ring is sized to a 7.

This is the Hector Aguilar "Book and Bead" bracelet in 940 silver, c.1940. It is featured in all of the Mexican Silver books. It measures 7" around in the inside and is 5/8" wide. It is in fine original condition, has a pin closure and weighs 93 grams. Signed as shown. Classic Hector Aguilar.

Very rare and over the top spectacular bracelet by Antonio Pineda with 10 tiger eye and 10 pearls. The crescent shaped clasp is notable and unique. Measuring 7" around in the inside when closed, it is 1" wide and weighs 104 grams...

A great looking vintage retro period gold-washed sterling silver necklace signed by Coro c1940s. This necklace consists of the 1-3/4" across heart-shaped pendant with a raised centre flower, with blue claw-set prystal or clear blue lucite facetted "stone" and the matching 16-1/8" link chain with loop and tab catch. Each component is washed in rose gold, and the pendant is signed CORO STERLINGCRAFT with STERLING on the chain. It weighs 18.5 grams, and it is in excellent original condition with...

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. The Greek goddess is Eirene, and she is known as the goddess of peace and the season of spring. Signed and hallmarked "Margot de Taxco Made in Mexi...

Bent Knudsen modernist sterling kinetic necklace

Denmark

Mid 20th Century

Neck ring - 4 1/2" side to side, x 4 1/2" back to front

Drop - 5 1/2" long

Both neck ring and drop are signed

Excellent vintage condition

An interesting pair of sculptural mixed metals pierced earrings by the New York jeweler, Marci Zelmanoff.

These earrings have sterling wire details and sterling shepherd ear wires. Measure 2" long and 5/8" at the widest.

Both earrings are signed Marci Zelmanoff and with some sort of code which looks like 02-Z64. Hard to read.

They are in fine condition. Her pieces are quite rare.

Amazing pendant / brooch by Michigan silversmith John Pagacz, circa 1950s. In sterling silver with three cultured pearls. The two darkened areas in the center are recessed, oxidized to create the patina, and hand detailed with a pattern. The workmanship in Pagacz's work is truly amazing. Unsigned. Has both a loop for a chain, and a pin mechanism so that the piece can be worn as a brooch. Measures a large 2.25" x 1.5. Excellent vintage conditon.

"Like mother like daughter" (and why not? father and son as well) is what came to mind when I saw this sweet Mexican silver and turquoise "baby" cuff bracelet. Beautifully stamped with ornamentation in the Native American / Southwestern style and centered by a rich blue turquoise stone with warm dark brown matrix the cuff is, of course, also ideal for those of us out there with very small wrists. Over the years of my love-affair with vintage Mexican jewelry, I have come upon "baby size" cuffs bu...

Rare sterling modernist choker necklace by Sigi, c.1952. Extremely heavy, it weighs 5 troy oz(150 gms)and is in excellent condition. The concave necklace houses graduated dimensional silver balls going around the entire piece. Sigi opened his PLATEROS shop in 1952, and one rarely sees the PLATEROS mark. The necklace is signed "PLATEROS TAXCO MEXICO STERLING #17 bellmark-can't read". The choker measures 14" around and is for a small neck. Wonderfully designed and unusual piece of modernism......$...

This wonderful brooch exhibits a foliate, flowering branch motif. Its 3 circular, petals are slightly convex with striations to central buds. The curved stems are adorned with the same buds / balls (just a bit larger). This piece measures 1 5/8" x 1 1/4" x 1/4". The back is marked STERLING with the Carl - Art (CA with an arrow through it) maker's mark: Carl-Art, Inc. Providence, Rhode Island). This pin is circa 1950's or 60's. It has good heft and is in excellent condition.

Classic sterling and pearl earrings by American modernist Esther Lewittes, circa 1950s. The sterling silver form folds over negative space, from which a single cultured pearl is revealed. Each earring measures approx. 7/8" x 7/8" at the widest point across the bottom. Clip-ons. Signed "Sterling Lewittes" as shown. Excellent vintage condition.

This signed Gerardo Lopez's lotus flower pectoral is one of the most beautiful silver works from the Spratling Era. The repousse is without dents or flaws. With the span of the drop being 5.5in. across and the height at 4in. the presence is spectacular. I calculate a 5in. diameter and approximate 17in. circumference. Gerardo Lopez was You can feel the quality as it is 107 grams heavy. Collector quality and more. Just, LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!

Circa 1940-1945, here is a superb hand-wrought necklace produced by Ana María Nünez de Brilanti, whose work is known as "Victoria". Brilanti opened her shop in Taxco in 1940, and named her shop Plateria Victoria, after her daughter. Brilanti is well known for her original designs and excellent craftsmanship, and this necklace is one of her earliest works. It's a book-piece design, shown on page 103 in "William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance", and referred to as "Curling Feathers"...

This is a very old pre 1948 Mexican silver bracelet that is in exceptional condition. The 5 stones are barrel cut amethyst with no cracks or chips. The underside shows many work marks. The barrels have no splits however there are reflections of light that may appear so. The bead work was also very taken care of without damage. The height of the piece is 1 1/8th inches. Marked SILVER MEXICO which I find to be made with quality and a weight of 65 grams. This bracelet has a wearable length of 6.5i...

Corpus Artisans Doris Silver was a store where extremely talented maestros worked in the back of her taller. If she liked the pieces that were made she would buy them. The workers rather came and went in between jobs and such. Chato Castillo being one. I have seen numerous names along with the Doris Marks as well as just the Doris marks alone. This work in repousse and with a height of almost 5in. tall is the most dimensional work I think I have ever seen. It really seems more of a sculpture tha...

This colorful bracelet is made of various Scottish chalcedonies set in sterling silver bezel mountings, for a total of seven panels. Each panel features four raised pieces of bloodstone set in individual mounts; the centers are set with a pointed and faceted piece of chalcedony in shades of red, white, brown, and blue-gray. All pieces of chalcedony are intact, with no loss; the backs exhibit only very minor scratches in the silver. The bracelet links are secure, as is the tongue-and-groove clasp...

This amazing and beautiful necklace by Hector Aguilar is crafted in his favorite 940 Silver and is known as his "Six Spheres" design. It measures 19" long by 1 1/2" wide and weighs an impressive 233.4 grams. Hallmarked "HA, Taxco, 940". Secure box clasp. No damage noted. This necklace is featured in many books on Mexican Silver and is a fine example of this style.

Rare, large sterling swordfish by the famous modernist Mexican silversmith, Salvador Teran, c. 1952. It is signed "SALVADOR STERLING MEXICO #106" and is in excellent condition. Quite large, this handhammered piece is almost 4" long by 2 1/4" wide. Wonderful and very rare.....$13 for insured USA shipping plus applicable NY sales tax.

Large 4 1/4" long by 1 3/4" wide hand made bronze and sterling cactus pin, 1986. It is signed "A. GOLDSTEIN 1986 BRONZE STERLING" and is is excellent condition. Good looking - for man or woman.....$10 for insured USA shipping & applicable NY tax.

Natural Bohemian garnets are featured in this antique pin. Two round elements are made up of three tiers of rich red rose-cut garnets. Each garnet circle is surrounded by a row of tiny rose-cut garnets. Suspended from these elements are three droppers featuring more garnets, round and marquise in shape. These droppers add eye-catching motion to the piece when it is worn. All of the gems are beautifully prong set. The pin is unmarked but is silver and is 1 ¼” wide. It has the original tub...

This mid-century chili pepper bracelet is the work of Salvador Teran. Teran worked with William Spratling at Taller de Las Delicias before leaving with his cousins, the Castillo brothers, in 1939 to work with them at their new taller, "Los Castillo." Considered by many to be a genius at designing, Salvador worked at Los Castillo for many years before establishing his own taller "La India Bonita" in 1952. This is a stunning modernist piece, with two chili peppers front and center, and a bird cage...

Pretty Victorian sterling silver pin decorated with a floral appliqué. The floral design has realistic engraved details. These pins were very popular in the late Victorian period and were made in many different variations, often with a name worked into the design. The back is fully hallmarked for Birmingham, 1890-91, and has the maker’s mark “G.A.R.”.

Origin: England, 1890-91. Condition: excellent, all original, nice patina. Size: 1-11/16” x 3/4". Weight: 3.0 grams.

Signed Victoria By Ana Maria Nunez de Brilanti. This is an extraordinary example by one of the early women of Taxco. Numbered 442 design is detachable into a large brooch which can be worn as shown in my picture or the entire length of the brooch pinned under a button down collar. The wearable length is approximately 17 inches. The drop of flowers with leaves measures 2 inches tall and spans approximately 6 inches. Brilanti designed this jewel to serve as a necklace and a brooch. There is a warm...

The Chrysocolla stones in this Hector Aguilar bracelet are nothing short of fantastic. The color is vivid and varied in splatters of blue, green and some tan. This bracelet measures approximately 7 inches and the band in back slides open for easy on and off. Each link is 1 inch tall making quite a presence. The silver is thick with a weight of 81 grams. Condition of the stones are remarkable with no pits, cracks or damage of any kind. The silver has no repairs and this work of art has truly been...

Sten and Laine sterling silver large pendant necklace

Finland

1973

Measures 3" in diameter

Neck chain measures 26" long

Weight - 47.5 grams

Marked on bale Finland, 925, U7 and other appropriate hallmarks

Excellent vintage condition

Of modernist design, both cast and hand-forged and composed of two flat sides terminating in hollowed ends, one with a protruding side. The tongue-and-groove clasp is in good working order. The bracelet exhibits some signs of wear, such as scratches and tiny dings to the edges. The very tip of the protrusion has a tiny dent. There are two different marks on the outer side (one is struck twice) that look to be foreign but are unidentified. One is likely a silver mark, and the bangle did test defi...

ThIs whimsical pin, formed as a six-petal flower enhanced with tiny blossoms, is mold-pressed but of a sturdy quality with sharp details. The back features a secure modified C-clasp, which bears the maker’s mark of Hermann Siersbol of Kastrup, Denmark. It measures 1 3/8 inches across. Weight: 6 grams

This bracelet has a beautiful deisign. The decorative face measures 2" x 1 1/2. The band portion has a hinged closure and is thin with a scalloped design.

A vintage 830 silver storyteller bracelet by David Andersen, Norway. Made up of alternating panels with what looks like a large lizard and a person on horseback yielding a sword and shield. There is some oxidation to the background for a contrasting effect.

Measures 7 1/4" long and just under an inch wide. Signed with the scales mark and 830S for the silver content on the back of the clasp.

In very nice condition, has some wear to the oxidation and minor surface scratches. Most of...

Hallmarks date this very rare Hubert Harmon pin 1942-1944. This is a huge piece, measuring 4 1/4" top to bottom and a width of 1 1/2". At front and center is a huge carved face. The winged ears and turban have exquisite repoussé silver work, with amethyst cabochons for earrings, on the turban, and on the dangling necklace - which swings freely in front. The face is smooth to the touch, with internal inclusions but no chips or cracks. Weight is 53.4 grams. Signed and hallmarked Hubertus S...

This substantial necklace is composed of sterling silver cable chain decorated with applied, loose rings of twisted sterling wire. Each chain link has two rings attached to it, completing a sophisticated and intelligent design that evokes flexibility and movement. The necklace has a secure spring-ring clasp, and bears a flat link with the number 950 or 930 for silver content and what looks like L37. Unclasped, it measures 38 ½ inches long. It dates at least to 1970, and could be older. Weight: ...

Doris Silver was a store in Taxco where artisans could make their jewels in Doris's back room. If she liked the work she would buy it. I have found some of the very best pieces from her shop. Many of the best known silver smiths worked here. This necklace displays a large presence with a drop of 3.75 in. and a wearable of 18in. The repousse is thick and it flourishes with movement around the neck. This necklace was more than well cared for and has no flaws or damage, just LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE! ...

Striking sterling silver and gem stone quality amethyst bracelet designed and signed circa 1950's by Taxco, Mexico modernist artist Antonio Pineda. Bracelet measures 3/4" wide with a wearable length of up to 6 1/2" long. Beautiful condition with no chips or dings. His designs are the central focus of SILVER SEDUCTION: THE ART OF MEXICAN MODERNIST ANTONIO PINEDA. Antonio designs are also included in the permanent 20th Century Mexican silver collection at Los Angeles County Museum of Art - LACMA.

Slick, a modernist dream-come-true, crafted with the highest quality of craftsmanship and studded with the most beautiful tiger's eye you have ever seen, this slick Mexican silver necklace was made in Taxco in the 1950s-60s. It is made up of graduated links in a design that has also been used by maestros like the unsurpassed Felipe Martinez, and the stones glow like melted gold! Classically elegant and a pleasure to wear the necklace measures 14 3/5" long and its width varies between 13/16" and...

Heavily hand carved, this vintage sterling silver necklace was designed & signed c. 1940's by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling. Weighing 140 grams the necklace has a wearable length of 18 inches. The center panel is 1 3/8" high. Professionally restrung on sterling silver fox wire chain the necklace is in beautiful condition. Pictured on p. 167 of the museum catalog WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. Also pictured on Phyllis Goddard's spratlingsilver.com....