Not much is known - if anything at all - about Ars Plata whose signature is found on the Mexican silver and amethyst dangle earrings at hand. Bille Hougart lists an "Art Plat." in his book on Mexican silver hallmarks but I am not sure the two workshops / retailers (?) are the same. This lack of information is part of the field's reality yet it is always exciting to find a name not often encountered...

Hallmarks date these Hector Aguilar earrings 1940-1948. Perfect flowers, each with a domed center, leaves, and tiny beading, make these earrings both elegant and classy for everyday use or a special occasion. Screwbacks work perfectly. Measures 7/8" wide. Weight is 12 grams. Signed and hallmarked "HA 940 Taxco. Excellent vintage condition.

A classic early Matilde Poulat Mexican silver bracelet, its textured sterling wire-work adorned with beading and coral and turquoise cabochons, this piece was made in the 1934-48 period of Matl's creative life as is indicated by its hallmarks. Part of her "flat" as opposed to "repousse" jewelry, the bracelet is perfectly articulated and responds to the wrist's every move in a effortless, gracious way...

This is a rare Margot de Taxco Mexican Silver Necklace.. The necklace is truly a treasure. The necklace dimensions entail: a 61.5 gram weight, 15.5 inches long, and a 6 inch inside diameter. The earrings just sold. I do have another pair of fish earrings that will list shortly. Thank you.

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...

Elegant peaked link necklace in 940 silver by Mexican silversmith Hector Aguilar. This necklace is a choker style that sits perfectly on the neck and terminates with a hook closure. It is 14 1/2" end to end and the links are 1" wide and 7/8" long. Surprising hefty, it weighs 123 grams and is in fine original condition. Signed with the 1940-48 Aguilar hallmark as shown. A very wearable and beautiful piece.

One rarely sees work produced by La Joya. La Joya designs are unique and original, the craftsmanship superb. This necklace dates to pre-1948. It's a definite statement piece, adorned with 7 amethyst cabochons. The largest of them measures 7/8" x 7/16", and sits on the center "ribbon". Centerpiece measures just under 5 1/2" across. The amethysts are beautiful stones, well matched in color, with natural inclusions...

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...

This iconic Antonio Pineda Taxco Silver Bracelet featuring six large oval cabochon stones set to float above oval silver disks. Measures 7" long by 3/4" wide. Decorative clasp and attached safety chain. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown, 970, Hecho en Mexico, Silver, ZZ 694 and the eagle stamp. No damage noted. This is a stunning bracelet that will always be in style.

Maestro Rivera, known for his high quality creations in Matilde Poulat's "jeweled" style, is the silversmith signing this stunning Mexican Deco bracelet. Carefully wrought silver-work with beading, hand-hammering and twist-rope details is studded with pyramid- and emerald-cut amethysts as well as coral and turquoise little cabs...

Hallmarks date this Hector Aguilar pin 1940-1945.

It's a book-piece design, with a slightly different version shown in "Silver Masters of Mexico". Highly detailed and whimsical in appearance, it's a large stately piece. Collector quality.

Measures 4 3/8" x 3 3/8".

Weight is 27.2 grams.

Signed and hallmarked with a conjoined HA, Sterling, and Made in Mexico.

In excellent vintage condition. Pin closes with a roller.

It's been a while since I offered a vintage Italian silver cimaruta necklace but today I hope to prove the wait worth-while with this gorgeous set from the first decades of the 20th c.. An ancient talisman associated with Southern Italy, the cimaruta was used to protect against the evil eye and in our days, it has been re-invigorated as a powerful wiccan symbol...

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...

Hallmarks date this magnificent early Matilde Poulat necklace to 1934-1948. The centerpiece is huge, measuring 5" wide and 3 1/8" tall, with beautiful birds and and three large faceted purple flowers in a vase. Hand-wrought with exquisite repoussé silver work. Embellished with coral and turquoise cabochons, amethysts on the clasp. Closed, wearable length is about 18 1/2"...

In my last treasure-hunting adventure I ended up with a couple of really really nice cross pendants and necklaces. The first one to gain center stage is this two-sided Flli Coppini Italian silver example. Executed in the .800 alloy that was the Italian standard until 1934, the pendant is crisply cast and its profusion of detail and ornamentation is easily readable to the eye...

Sterling silver square pressed powder compact with mirror. Engraved lines on front outside of compact with engraved hearts in each corner, back is plain, no initials. Stamped "Elgin American Made in USA Sterling" on powder lid inside. Mirror has some age marks on the edges. Size: 3.5 x 3.5 inch square Weight: 180.8 grams (116.3 dwt)

This early Mexican necklace is based on the Los Castillo dragon design, and is every bit as spectacular. Featuring superb craftsmanship, it's a true statement piece with attention to detail second to none. Closed, wearable length is 17", with each dragon having a height of 3 1/4". Weight is 73.5 grams. Hallmarked "Mexico Silver", this piece dates pre-1948. In excellent vintage condition.

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.