Circa 1930's-40's, this hand-wrought necklace is hallmarked with a simple early mark "Silver Mexico". I have previously had the identical design which was produced by Rafael Dominguez, as well I've seen it with the Antonio Pineda early mark. Twenty-seven lyre shaped panels are linked together with rectangular connectors topped with a copper bead set in the center of two silver beads. The looped hook closure is topped with four beads, copper alternating with silver...

Crafted in the late 1950s or in the 1960s, this sterling silver Mexican necklace is signed by Victoria or Ana Maria Nunez de Brilanti. Victoria is one of the few female designers and silversmiths of Taxco’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance that we know of and she is credited, among others, for perfecting the “metales casados” or “married metals” technique. In this necklace, however, she adds a modernist twist to an otherwise “archeological” design...

Every now and again, I will bump into a piece of Mexican jewelry incorporating an ancient artifact. Be that clay masks, carved little effigies or beads, they are always a treat and a source of great excitement. And when that piece is also signed by one of the big Taxco workshops, like the bracelet at hand, then it’s a real holiday! Out of their “mixed metals” line, this Los Castillo silver, brass and copper hinged bracelet is literally built around an amazing, silky smooth agate bead...

One of the most interesting - and few - female figures of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance, Doris Smith Chamberlin was a Texas-born American who decided to move to Mexico in the 1940s to open her own workshop after having completed post-graduate studies in art and having taught woodworking, textile-making and silver-smithing for a few years in California (I am grateful to Decotini for the information)...

The art of "metales casados" (mixed or married metals) was practiced by several Taxco workshops yet I think Victoria was its queen. Ana Maria Nunez de Brilanti combined copper, silver and brass not only to design exquisite jewelry but also hollowware of various kinds and decorative objects. In the necklace presented here she seems to be inspired by Egyptian Revival motifs which is not unusual for her - there are at least a couple of other parures she created that tread that same path...

How often does one find a ring by renowned Taxco modernist Enrique Ledesma? Let me answer my question - almost never! Over the years of my buying, selling and researching vintage Mexican silver jewelry, I have come upon a few examples, almost all of them adorned with a color-change sapphire. I had never seen a ring in the design I am presenting here until I discovered this one some time ago...

I acquired this pair of Miguel Melendez’s hinged bangles as a set some time ago and after long deliberations, I decided that they should continue in life as such. Miguel is one of Taxco’s modernists yet he honed his skills at Spratling’s Las Delicias and working for Margot de Taxco for many years. This specific design is a favorite of mine’s by him - it brings to mind rock formations and I love the interplay of negative and positive space...

Handmade sterling silver keychain or watch fob designed (1940's) and signed by Taxco, Mexico artist Hector Aguilar (1905-1986). Belt slide is 1 1/2" X 1". Sterling chain is 17" long. 1.7 oz., 48 grams. Sterling key holder opens and closes perfectly. No dents or dings. Applied initials can be easily removed. Pictured on page 103 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill. Great gift idea. US Priority mail shipping and insurance included.

This early Matl pin is an exceptional piece, with a beautiful oval turquoise at front and center. The hand-wrought repoussé silver has a warm patina. Measures 2 3/16" x 1 1/4" at the center. Weight is 19.6 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Matl" in script. Closes with a "c" clasp. Collector quality.

Known for their high quality of holloware primarily, Ingrid's remains even today one of those elusive actors in the story of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance. Active in the 1930s and 1940s, as Bille Hougart reports, this retailer seems to have been the venue through which well-known maestros like Chato Castillo sold some of their creations...

Circa mid-century, this is a fabulous necklace and a real attention grabber. Measuring 4 3/4" wide at the top of the centerpiece, 2 5/8" wide at the bottom, it's a huge piece which lays beautifully upon the neck and frames it perfectly. The repoussé panels have silver domes graduating in size. Recesses are oxidized. Signed and hallmarked "SrC Taxco Mexico Sterling", with the eagle assay 3...

One of the classiest and most classic Mexican Deco jewelry designs, the "shield" necklace is associated with the names of Fred Davis and Abraham Paz but has also been made by other, contemporary maestros both anonymous and "less celebrated". Our sterling and dyed green calcite example belongs in the latter group but, as I have pointed out many times in the past, its "anonymity" does not take away at all from its craftsmanship and good looks...

This Antonio Pineda brooch is a superb modernist design featuring three amethyst "peas" in a "pod". Beautifully executed in 97% pure silver, this pin is collector quality. Measures 3 1/2" long, with a hefty weight of 29.7 grams. Pin closes with a roller. Signed and hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco crown, Hecho en Mexico 970 Silver, with the eagle assay 17 and design # PR571.

I know and admire maestro C. Molina's work for its superb craftsmanship and its monumentality but I was still not prepared for this set of stupedying dangle earrings! There is big, there is massive and then, there is the pair of shadowbox stunners I am presenting here tonight...

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"...

These Antonio Pineda earrings have a silver wave design with emerald cut amethysts. Bearing the "Silver by Tono" hallmark which was used 1948-1953, this deco design is rarely seen. Each earring features four channel set amethyst gemstones, all well matched in color. The repoussé silver settings require the most skilled of silversmiths. Exquisitely crafted and oh so elegant. Measures 1" x 7/8". Signed and hallmarked "Silver by Tono", "Made in Mexico", with the eagle assay 17. Weight ...

These earrings produced by Hector Aguilar are a book-piece design, shown p. 87 Silver Masters of Mexico. They have a stunning deco design, with bell shaped pendants which are deeply incised. The recesses are oxidized, and 5 pendants dangle below. Screwbacks work perfectly. These measure 2 1/2" long, 1 1/16" wide. Weight is 19.4 grams. Signed and hallmarked "HA 940 Taxco" with the eagle assay 9. Collector quality.

These Antonio Pineda earrings are a rare find. Collector quality, these are absolutely exquisite with a stunning modernist design. They have great movement and hang nice and long at 3". Screw backs work perfectly. Weight is 19.1 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco crown, eagle assay 208. In excellent vintage condition with no issues whatsoever.