An early Los Castillo design and very much in keeping with the 1940s' love for sweeping flourishes this set of earrings, carefully hand-cut, overlaid and oxidized will add just the right amount of festive spirit to your outfit. Bold and confident, the swirls seem to twist upon themselves in excitement and then reach high up for the skies with abandonment. Got to love the Los Castillo and the myriad ways in which they still make our day...

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...

Generously long and imposing in its presence, this early Mexican Deco silver, copper and stone necklace with cascabeles is a great example of the way ancient Mesoamerican artifacts found their way into jewelry created during the country's 20th c. Silver Renaissance. Statuettes, clay "masks", beads of stone and silver, carved pieces of bone were unearthed on a daily basis in Mexico's countryside either by accident as people worked the land or as a result of deliberate "digging" to find them...

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...

This hand-wrought Mexican necklace dates to pre-1948,

It's an exquisite piece with highly detailed silver work, and it looks beautiful on. Measuring 36" in length, the two sides can clip together about 4" from each end.

Signed and hallmarked on the bottom of each ball "S.D. Hecho en Mexico 0.925".

Weight is 80.5 grams.

In excellent vintage condition.

Circa 1930's - 1940's, this early Mexican necklace is an absolute work of art. Signed and hallmarked "Ingrid's Silver". Ingrid's was a shop which retailed silver and hollowware from various silversmiths, among them Jorge "Chato" Castillo. This necklace pulls out all the stops. It's a fabulous modernist/deco design, composed of alternating cylinders of amethyst and sterling silver. The center silver cylinder measures 1 13/16" x 7/8", with a depth of 5/8". The silver panels graduate in size...

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...

An iconic motif in the index of Mexican Deco jewelry design, “masks” can be found carved in stone, molded in glass, created in inlay or enamel but also en repoussage like in the brooch presented here. Made by maestro Barrera in Mexico City most probably, its workmanship follows that city’s school of repousse jewelry of which Matilde Poulat is the most renowned creator...

Circa early 1940's, the Lyre necklace is an iconic design from Hector Aguilar. Shown on p. 30 of Silver Masters of Mexico, it's a necklace which drapes beautifully on the neck with a substantial presence. Measures 15 3/4" end to end. Weight is 131.2 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the conjoined HA, Taxco, and 940. In excellent vintage condition.

With hallmarks dating 1940-1944, this necklace is an iconic piece from William Spratling's 1st design period.

It's very rare to see this design complete with the original five strand tubular silver necklace, and it is collector quality. The large amethyst cabochon measures 1 1/4" in diameter, and is a gorgeous stone with natural inclusions and quartz marbling...

One of my favorite “less celebrated” early Mexican maestros, AEM (or AE Heart as he is also referred to because of the way he signs his work) had his workshop in Mexico City and he created some really nice pieces. It has been a long time since I presented something by him but this set of “mesh and bead” dangle earrings more than compensates for the gap...

Reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright Art Deco designs this silver & stone necklace was created & signed c. 1949-52 by American & Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling. Weighing 100 grams, the necklace has a wearable length of 18 1/2 inches. The central element is 2 1/2" X 1 1/2". Signed on the clasp SPRATLING DE MEXICO STERLING. Both stones & silver are in beautiful condition. Clasp is tight & secure. This design is pictured on p...

My second M Velazquez silver brooch for the day, this Mexican Deco repousse "portrait" I have never had (nor, I believe, seen) before. As opposed to the first figural pin, here the "sitter" is shown in profile, his likeness set in a raised frame against a stippled background. Velazquez's repoussage can be very dramatic and in the piece at hand it is also enhanced by deep chasing and oxidation which brings out the sculpturality of the face and the impressive headdress...

One of my favorite "less celebrated" maestros whose jewelry, however, has been experiencing a constant rise in appreciation among collectors, A. Tobias was a contemporary of Matilde Poulat's and I believe he was probably also working in Mexico City. His creations caught my attention several years ago for their characteristic "Mexico City style" repoussage and their beautiful craftsmanship. I have since come to find out that he also designed some amazing "mask" brooches and tried his hand at impr...

This striking sterling silver & azurite or chrysocolla "North Star" necklace was designed & signed circa 1949 by American and Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). The pendant measures 2 1/4" X 2 1/4". The elongated link chain measures 16 1/2". Weight 60 grams. Beautiful condition & patina. Signed on reverse WS 925. Each of the four points of the pendant are planed creating dimension. This design is pictured on p. 63 of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill and Carole Berk. Also pictured o...

Circa pre-1948, this tour-de-force cuff bracelet is the work of Silver Corpus Artisans of Mexico.

I know this mark to be associated with Doris Silver, although this piece is not marked as such.

Quite possibly one of a kind, this is an amazing cuff with superb silver work. Measuring 4" tall, the design has koi fish with bubbles coming out of their mouths, amidst huge waves.

Should fit up to a 7" wrist. A good jeweler can adjust the size smaller or larger to fit th...

CROSS 500.00 NECKLACE 250.00 We have a Los Castillo, huge 3in. long cross weighing 37 grams. The silver is thick and layered to achieve more dimension. The condition is excellent with no damage. There is a spot in my pictures that looks like a scratch but it is not and not in all pictures. While hunting for a necklace to display the Castillo cross on I came across this one. How could it be any more perfect? It came filled with all the 8 small crosses and the weight is a hefty 91 grams. It is al...

Possibly the most "surrealist" early Mexican Deco "mask" brooch I have ever had, this piece is the source of so many questions for me. What is it exactly that it depicts with its "portrait" surrounded by an elaborate headdress, the two arms emanating right from its top with no actual body present? And what is the "mask" itself made of? It registers as a stone in my gem-tester but I am not sure if it is onyx or a different type of opaque, black stone. I find myself in one of those instances in wh...