Slender, elongated, hand-wrought fine silver feathers that end in a playful curl make up this set of "swan wing" modernist earrings by Antonio Pineda. I have to admit that this is one of the most unexpected Antonio creations I have ever encountered. When I first saw it, I thought that the clip-ons would have to surely be a later replacement yet I have since seen a similar pair and that one too had the same findings. Now these are earrings for those not afraid to .....

Being offered is a superb and exceedingly rare circa 1968 gold modernist ring by Antonio Pineda of Taxco, Mexico, the bypass design of yellow gold with pink gold wire accent mounted in 14k gold. Size is illustrated - 6 1/2. Stamped 14k and Pineda Marked. In excellent condition. 13.8 grams. Rare rare rare!!

Early, sweet little ring from Taxco, this pinky is wrought in silver and adorned with what I believe to be an ancient bi-cone stone bead out of which emanate two playful, musical cascabeles. It is not uncommon for vintage Mexican jewelry from the first decades of the country's 20th c. Silver Renaissance to incorporate ancient beads and small artifacts as it was not illegal at the time for individuals to buy and sell them...

Superbly crafted, profusely decorated and visually powerful this early Mexico City repousse figural brooch is an a rather rare example of vermeil silver jewelry from the country's 20th c. Silver Renaissance. I will admit that I am not particularly fond of vermeil - I love the look and feel of aged silver without "enhancements" that make it look like something it is actually not. Yet there are those very very scarce moments when a piece like this shows up and it makes me reconsider...

A contemporary of Matilde Poulat's, maestro M. Velazquez also worked in Mexico City and created jewelry primarily in the repousse style associated with the capital and Matl, its most famous practitioner. Velazquez was a true master of his art - his jewelry is bold and his repoussage confident, sculptural and nicely finished. The inspiration for the fish brooch at hand was obviously an ancient Maya or Aztec glyph or carving...

Dating in the first period of the Los Ballesteros workshop but after their 1941 move from Iguala to Taxco, this combination pin / pendant is an "archaeologically inspired" piece. A multitude of techniques come together in the creation of the figural scene that dominates here. Azur malachite inlay provides the canvas within which the combined copper and silver praying (?) figure is laid in...

A twist to Margot de Taxco's classic all silver zodiac pendant / charms this sinewy Sagittarius rises above a background of multicolored confetti enamel. A true feast for the eyes, the archer faces the viewer but has his head turned to the right in the direction of his outstretched bow-holding arm. I love these enameled examples by Margot because the confetti, especially the primarily blue / green version like here, reminds me of clear nights when thousands of twinkling stars light up the skies...

Matching the highly geometric cuff bracelet that is also available in my store, this vintage Los Castillo Mexican silver modernist ring still cherishes the austere angularity of the Deco years. Set in channels defined by sterling wires, the saturated blues and greens of the azur-malachite inlay clearly mark it as belonging to the workshop's "mozaico Azteca" line...

Fleshy, slick and so mod this set of vintage Mexican Antonio Pineda earrings is wrought in his favorite fine (.970) silver alloy in the form of heart-shaped leaves. Antonio's jewelry, no matter how many elements combined in a design, if unfailingly sculptural and shamelessly tactile. It is very difficult to restrain oneself and not keep passing one's fingers over the masterfully worked, perfectly finished silver...

Rings by Victoria of Taxco, one of the few ladies of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance that are known to us, are such rare finds, they actually touch upon the impossible. If one is really lucky, one might find a shadowbox example from her "angel" parure but I have never before seen a "mask" ring with her signature. Yet here it is - the black onyx "mask" set in elaborate sterling worked such as to represent a headdress and breastplate...

Exceedingly difficult to find (I will not say "almost impossible" because I am an optimist at heart!) these Mexican Deco silver repousse hinged bracelets with rows of stone cabochons come in all widths and material combinations. In my experience, the ones with turquoise tend to be the most sought after but amethyst is also popular and I have had examples with black onyx and even colored glass before...

A luxurious tassel, its sterling threads spilling out of a brushed silver bead, catches the eye instantly in this vintage Mexican charm bracelet. A classic rendition of the specific design, it has a thick twist rope chain that has acquired a soft, silky glow over the years. Striding the divide between Deco and Retro jewelry, this is a veritable statement bracelet and if you decide to add the matching earrings and lariat necklace you see in one of the photos to it, you will not be disappointed...

Circa mid-century, this Antonio Pineda bracelet features ten oval moonstone cabochons nestled between ten curved silver panels...

Offered on consignment....

Dating 1930's - early 40's, this Fred Davis bracelet feels silky and luxurious on the wrist and is a superb example of his work.

Panels of four amethyst cabs and tiny beading alternate with angled silver cylinders, joined top and bottom by double ribbed connectors. Forty eight amethyst gemstones in total, it's an intricate piece, exquisitely executed, and it is collector quality. There is a beautiful patina throughout. Closure is a tight and s...

One of the most talented Taxco maestros, Gerardo Lopez was exceptional in the art of repoussage and his jewelry is sought after and avidly collected for its quality and inventive motif combinations. I have suggested in the past that he must have worked for the Los Castillo and / or Margot de Taxco because many of the motifs he uses are also found in the famous workshops' creations. The set of earrings presented here, a classic Taxco "flourish", can be combined with several of his sublime pectora...

An ode to overlay, beading and masterfully applied oxidation, this figural little Mexican Deco brooch is a depiction of Ozomahtli, the monkey companion of god Xochipili, associated with play and merry-making. I could have easily sworn that this is an example of Francisco Rivera’s work yet since it is not signed for maker, I can only suggest this might be the case. The quality is certainly there - thick silver sheet, attention to each and every detail, perfect finishing, good weight - a really ...

Without a doubt, the Double Chinese Dragon necklace is one of Margot's most sought after and seldom seen pieces. The repoussé silver work is superbly executed. Constructed so that it lays perfectly on the neck. Opposing Chinese dragons are at the center of this piece, which measures a closed, wearable length of 16". A variation of this necklace is shown in Penny C. Morrill's book "Margot Van Voorhies: The Art of Mexican Enamelwork". Signed and hallmarked "Margot de Taxco Sterling Made in Me...

Circa 1960's - 70's, this Carmen Beckmann cuff pulls out all the stops. It's an exceptional bracelet which I have not seen before, and believe to be very rare. Seven Mexican fire opals of varying sizes are at front and center. The stones are magnificent, and have flashes of green, orange, blue, and purple. Framed on each side with a raised abstract silver shapes with oxidized recesses. Measures 6" inside edge to edge, with an additional gap/opening of 1 3/16". Width is 1 7/16". Weight i...