In the years I have been buying and selling vintage Mexican silver jewelry I have seen many "mask" pieces - this is, after all, one of the "pillars" in the genre's design index and I am also very partial to it and always on the look out for good examples. I have to also admit that seeing jewelry of a certain kind over and over again makes one a little more blasé and hence, more difficult to impress. Yet impressed I was with this astounding combination pin / pendant I am presenting here...

Outstanding vintage signed Los Castillo heavy sterling bracelet with a repousse foliate motif. 1940s, pre-eagle mark. Marked LOS CASTILLO TAXCO, STERLING MADE IN MEXICO, and with design number 116. Very substantial at 94 grams/3.3 ounces. With a hook closure and safety chain.

Great size -- 1 3/4 inches wide and 7 1/2 inches long. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

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 true choker-sized necklace by the Los Castillo workshop which can, nevertheless, easily accept a simple extension (please, ask if you need one), this is a design I have always admired for its perfect combination of sterling repousse links and bi-cone (or sometimes even flattened circular) glass beads. Very well made and so easy to enjoy no matter what the occasion is, our version is adorned with amethyst-colored beads that cast a purple shadow on the already warm patina of the silver...

For a few years around WWII and possibly up to 1950, Marcel Boucher had a special line of silver jewelry made in Mexico under the name "Parisina". I don't think we know which workshop produced those pieces or whether they were made by a number of different silversmiths. I can, however, say that Parisina jewelry ranges from the very light-weight to the chunkier, more substantial examples and that the same variety is also reflected in their designs...

I have had this ring in my personal collection for several years now - always meaning to get it sized so I can enjoy - but I finally deciding to let it go. I have only seen this design once before, with a obsidian cab and a different shank but I really love how it looks with the “feathered serpent” jealously guarding an amethyst...

Hallmarks date this Hector Aguilar necklace to 1940-1948. Collector quality, this is a heavy hand-wrought piece with fifty turquoise cabochons. Stones are all original. It's a substantial gorgeous necklace with a very solid feel, and it lays perfectly upon the neck. A timeless elegant design, and a piece which works with just about any outfit and occasion. Length is 16 1/2" without the tongue portion of the clasp...

This Fred Davis is properly signed and 15.5 inches long and will catch your eye when walking by. The amethyst stones are berry colored and bright. Even harder to find are nice well formed bezels. The necklace makes a presence with a height of 1 inch. There is no damage or repairs. I will include a safety chain if you prefer to wear it longer. A hefty 90 grams of silver made by a Mexican Silver Renaissance Maestro, just LOOK AT THAT NECKLACE!

An early Mexican Deco silver repousse "mask" brooch, this pieces is wrought in sterling and its maker adorned their portrait with a long, dangling earring. It is evident from the piece's craftsmanship that its creator was well-trained maestro. Despite the thinner gauge of sterling sheet used, there is depth and good definition in the repoussage which result in easily "readable" details and good sculpturality...

Los Castillo design number 291 is an amazing piece of wearable art. The repousse has carving on top that only consists of masterful strokes. The necklace has a wearablility of 17 inches. Each dragon is 3in. tall and 2.5in. wide. The repousse is thick with a quality weight of 100 grams heavy. There are no dents or damage or repairs of any kind. Nothing can compare to holding the genuine article by the original maker...

This classic A. Michelsen daisy pin has a diameter of 1 3/4”. The white enamel petals, like layered rays, are shiny and beautiful surrounding the detailed, sterling vermeil, textured disk. The back is marked with the “AM” beneath a crown (the Anton Michelsen maker’s mark) hallmark and “STERLING DENMARK 925 S” below that. This brooch is in excellent condition!

Bearing the signature of Pedro Castillo who opened his own workshop in 1940, after having worked for both William Spratling and Hector Aguilar this early Taxco modernist necklace is made using the overlay technique which has also been enhanced by purposeful oxidation. Perfectly finished, it has generous weight and at just a hair less than 16", it is not only a gorgeous piece to wear but it is quite comfortable...

The early hallmarks on this brooch date 1940-1945. This pin was designed by Valentin Vidaurreta. Shown with onyx stones on p.79, II-12 in "Silver Masters of Mexico", also noted in this book is that Vidaurreta produced work both in his own workshop and at the Taller Borda, and that the pieces sold at Taller Borda were marked with the HA mark until the 1950's. This is an outstanding piece, large, exquisitely hand-crafted, and collector quality...

This hand crafted silver box was designed & signed c. 1940's by renowned artist Hubert Harmon during his short time in Taxco, Mexico. Weighing 265 grams or 9.4 oz. the piece measures 5" long X 3" wide X 1/2" deep. The hand carved amethyst stones & silver are in beautiful condition. Harmon's sense of humor & whimsy are evident in this design where he uses his trade mark "bare feet with wings" along with the face & body of an angel & a carved amethyst star in the sky above...

17 in...

This classic bracelet by the famous Taxco silver artist William Spratling is an early design crafted in a beautiful combination of Sterling Silver and Copper. It measures 7 1/2" long by 1" wide and it weighs a heavy 74.2 grams. Hallmarked Spratling Silver, Made in Mexico a mark used in 1942. It has a fold over clasp and is in good condition with a few minor dings mostly along the bracelet edge. It has not been polished and retains a lovely rich patina. We are offering this bracelet 'AS-IS' and ...

These amethyst earrings have no hallmarks. They were converted to posts, and whatever marks were present are now gone. The design is one which I've only seen from Matilde Poulat. Amethysts are gorgeous, perfectly matched in color with natural inclusions. Each earring measures 1 1/16" x 7/8". Weight is 21.1 grams. No dings, dents, dimples. Amethyst are free of any cracks or chips.

Breath-taking both in proportions and its masterfully executed repoussage this sterling silver Mexican Deco belt buckle is simply unbelievable. Its two mirrored parts represent Quetzalcoatl, the divine Moesoamerican Feathered Serpent, a motif which appears quite often in vintage Mexican silver jewelry. I have seen this specific design in buckle form signed by Doris in the past - my example is hallmarked yet not for maker and though the lack of signature is always vexing, it does not at all affec...

One of Hector Aguilar most notable designs who called this style the "Six Spheres Bracelet". It is an impressive piece measuring 7 1/2" long by 1 1/2" wide and weighs a heavy 86.6 grams. Signed "Taxco, HA, Taxco" and tests to be at least 925 silver. Secure box clasp and in good vintage condition with no damage noted, only light signs of wear and tarnish. We also have the matching necklace available in a separate listing.

Bearing the signature of Pedro Castillo this bracelet is, for me, a fusion of classic Taxco "arhaeological" as well as modernist elements. The overlay is immaculately crafted - one would never expect less from a Castillo - and the design lends itself to several readings. Is it a stylized butterfly? Two human forms positioned sideways, mirroring each other? An elaboration on ancient Mesoamerican motifs with a mod twist? Be that as it may, the bracelet has an intense visual presence that is only e...

One of the few female designers of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance that we know of, Bernice Goodspeed arrived in Mexico's capital in 1930, according to Bille Hougart. Even though she and her painter husband, Carl Pappe, identified as writers and artists primarily, they opened a shop in Taxco where they sold not only their books and artwork but also jewelry that Bernice herself designed. Bernice's work is not as easily found - she was probably not as prolific as some of her contemporary maest...

When I first started my love-affair with vintage Mexican silver jewelry, I found myself intrigued by the work of artists whose names were not among the first ones a new collector would focus on. I love a challenge and seeking out “less celebrated” maestros who nevertheless created superbly crafted jewelry in imaginative designs became my “mission”. I have written in the past that “Cecilia and Tono are one of those well-hidden, well-kept "secrets" vintage Taxco holds for those of us who...

Vintage, rarely seen on the market 940 sterling silver graduated disc bracelet designed and signed circa 1948-62 by famous Taxco, Mexico artist & silver Maestro Hector Aguilar. The center front disc measures 1 1/2" high. The bracelet's inner circumference when closed is 7". Bracelet weighs 85 grams or 3 oz. Slide-in clasp works perfectly. No dents are dings to silver. Beautiful soft original patina. Fully hallmarked on the clasp. This design is pictured on p. 139 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by P...

From Spratling's first design period, hallmarks date this pin 1040-1944. This eagle serpent pin has superb repoussé silver work. Oxidized recesses and a highly detailed design really make this a standout piece. Measures 2 5/16" x 1 7/8". Weight is 26 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the WS Print Circle and Spratling Silver. Pin closes with a roller.

Circa pre-1948, this is a spectacular hand-wrought bracelet. It's an exquisitely crafted piece with superb repoussé silver work. Very substantial and dimensional. The amethyst cabochons are well-matched in color. Closure is a pin on a chain . Measures a closed, wearable length of 6 3/4", with a width just shy of 1 1/2". Hallmarked simply "Mexico Silver". Weight is 86.1 grams. In excellent vintage condition.

This unique and rare set by the famous Margot de Taxco consists of three matching pieces. All are 1 7/8" wide with one piece measuring 21" long, one measures 10" long and the other measures 2 3/4" long. All pieces have hook closures and can be attached together. The longest and medium pieces are both hallmarked Margot de Taxco, Sterling Made in Mexico along with the design number 5158 and the eagle 16. Very heavy with a total weight of 334 grams. Good condition with light age related tarnish. A ...

This 1940's Los Castillo necklace is a magnificent showpiece. Likely designed by Margot van Voorhies Carr / Margot de Taxco, It's composed of twenty one double leaf panels which are connected by rivets, creating a necklace which lays perfectly on the neck. Quite substantial, weighing 176.8 grams. Measures a closed, wearable length of 15 1/2", with a width of 1". Signed and hallmarked with the early linear marks "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Mexico", and the design # 124. In excellent vintage...

Made in Mexico City and following the “Matl school of repoussage” this early Deco silver and turquoise bracelet is anonymous and … gorgeous. Textured repousse feather motifs are predominant here, an allusion to the divine Feathered Serpent of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. I have always thought that this specific type of work that allows you to follow the maestro’s hand as it works the silver could easily be considered Mexico’s Arts and Crafts expression. Here the articulation of ...

This very early Mexican brooch is unsigned as to the maker, hallmarked simply "Mexico Silver". The style is certainly similar to the work of Matilde Poulat / Matl.

Entirely handwrought with exquisite and intricate detailing. A rare and stunning pin. Three amethysts of varying sizes form the center body sitting between the wings.

Measures 2 3/4" wide and 1 3/4" tall.

Weight is 16 grams.

In excellent vintage condition.

This elegant work of art is a 1940's Spratling design. The ring stands a bit over 1" high. The ring size is about 7 1/2. It is in beautiful condition with some surface wear. Hallmarked SPRATLING SILVER MADE IN MEXICO.

Circa 1940's, this is a spectacular necklace from Marcel Boucher. It's hand-wrought and extremely substantial, weighing in at 158.2 grams, or over 5 troy ounces.

Boucher was born in Paris, and apprenticed with Cartier. He has a reputation of being perhaps the greatest costume jewelry designer. In the 1940's, he produced silver jewelry in Mexico under the name Parisina. In 1957, he opened his business in New York.

This is a truly luxurious necklace. Composed of twenty-four d...

1930's - early 1940's, this Fred Davis bracelet is a book-piece design shown in "Mexican Silver". A huge rectangular bezel-set amethyst cabochon is front and center, with six opposing angled silver panels on each side. Closes with a tight and secure tongue in box clasp. Signed and hallmarked with a conjoined FD and Silver Mexico. Weight is 60.2 grams. Amethyst measures 1 1/16" x 13/16", and a depth of 7/16". Closed, wearable length is about 6 1/4", so suitable for a smaller wrist. In exc...

Glowing with the patina of time that adds precious depth to recesses of the design, this vintage Los Castillo repousse brooch has a more romantic air about it than most of their work. I love the combination of twists and twirls with the stylized "trumpet" flowers at the top and even though the elements which have been called into service here are definitely floral, I can't stop seeing the eyes of a night owl staring back at me in wise contemplation. Measuring 2 3/4" wide by 1 7/8" tall the brooc...

A retailer active in the 1930s and 1940s, Ingrid's was - according to Bille Hougart - known for their high quality hollowware and jewelry which they commissioned from the best Taxco maestros. Sometimes their pieces are also signed by Chato Castillo who seems to have sold work of his through them and more often than not, at least based on my experience, Ingrid's jewelry is big, bold and beautiful! Take the fantastic "Aztec Revival" bracelet at hand as a representative example - or should I call i...

This pre-1948 bracelet produced by Frederick Walter Davis features nine amethyst cabochons set in repoussé silver panels with a sunrise design.

It's a beautiful piece, with oxidized recesses and amethyst gemstones which are perfectly matched in color.

Born in the U.S. in 1880, Davis moved to Mexico in 1910 and began designing and selling jewelry. Often, he designed jewelry and contracted with master artisans to produce these designs. He also bought silverwork from others, ...

Very much in the style associated with Matilde Poulat and often referred to as "Mexico City repousse" this sweet little silver "serpent scales" bracelet is adorned with an amethyst cabochon in its central station. An early example of this "school", it is an honest attempt to emulate the "grand dame" of Mexican silver jewelry albeit in a more demure, smaller scale than most of Matl's work. I like to think of its maker as a young apprentice, impressed by Poulat's genius, patiently working on impro...