Two different sizes of sterling silver barrel beads adorned with a myriad of hand-made florets in the Etruscan style make up this generously long Mexican lariat necklace from the pre-1948 period. I am very partial to long necklaces and lariats are a small obsession of mine. When I am lucky enough to come upon an Etruscan example as the one presented here, my heart skips a beat...

Generously long with a twist-rope chain of good thickness and its original dog clip, this antique silver guard or muff chain does not stop giving! I would have loved it even as a long chain necklace but what makes it irresistible for me is its Art Nouveau slide with its portrait of the idealized female. Shown in profile in a geometric frame tempered by stylized flowers, her wavy hair held back by a floral ribbon, she is the personification of calm and serenity...

A retail shop in Taxco, according to Bille Hougart, Plateria Cortes is a name also found on some of Enrique Ledesma pieces, most probably because they were sold there. So my first thought when I saw this set of vintage Mexican silver surrealist earrings was that they might have been made by Ledesma. And then it all came back to me - a couple of years ago, I sold three sets of earrings in the same exact style (and actually even a pair like the one at hand) clearly signed for Sigi Pineda...

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...

Circa 1940-1945, this masterpiece from Los Castillo pulls out all the stops. The craftsmanship is magnificent, the design sublime. The prong set faceted stones are almost black in color, with brown striations which can be seen from the back of the stones. The design is full of swirls and tiny beading. Centerpiece has six dangles and measures 5 1/2" wide and 2 1/4" tall. Closed, wearable length is 17". Weight is 112.7 grams...

Stunning and rare, especially in its use of the specific stone, this vintage Mexican silver necklace features a combination pin / pendant signed by Taxco's foremost lapidary, Felipe Martinez, and a substantial chain from the same period which I believe might be by the same maestro as it bears an Eagle assay mark that Martinez used. And yes, the superbly carved "mask" is teased out of tiger's eye stone though a more unusual kind that it often referred to as "hawk's" or "falcon's eye"...

Offered on consignment........... Felipe Martinez had been a sculptor before opening his shop in 1950. The shop was called "Piedra Y Plata", (Stone and Silver). Martinez had worked with Hubert Harmon at one time in the 1940's. This bracelet likely dates 1950's. Composed of sixteen curved S links, the amethysts are gorgeous gemstones with deep purple hues, quartz marbling, and natural inclusions. Drapes over the wrist like silk, and looks positively magnificent...

The bearer of Zeus's thunderbolts Pegasus, the winged stallion of Greek mythology, is also associated with literary and artistic inspiration. One of my favorite images from that period, he is always depicted striding the air with pride and confidence, his strong, wings working hard to raise that formidable body high into the lofty realms of the divine...

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...

Here is a supremely rare necklace from Los Castillo, with their earliest hallmarks dating 1930-1940. Likely designed by Margot. Executed in 980 silver, it is a spectacular piece with a pre-Columbian design composed of seven repoussé silver glyph panels and tubular beads and balls. Lays beautifully upon the neck and certainly commands attention. Collector quality. Measures a closed, wearable length of 16", with a width of 1 1/4". Weight is 85.6 grams...

Undoubtedly the result of artistic cross-pollination this vintage Mexican silver neck ring pendant necklace emits an intense Scandinavian vibe . Evocative of Danish modernist jewelry, it is not just the shapes that refer to it but also the choice of sodalite cabochons to accompany the warmly glowing silver...

Signed by my favorite Mexican modernist, this set of Salvador Teran earrings in the so-called "crouching man" design combines sterling, strategically placed oxidation and richly speckled azur-malachite stones. I consider Teran a true genius - his jewelry has that inner power that holds the gaze and the imagination captive and sends them on surreal journeys into worlds familiar and at the same time strange and wondrous. Based on ancient Mesoamerican motifs that the maestro re-interprets in unexpe...

Extraordinary huge vintage sterling and turquoise ring by Zuni Edith Tsatbetsaye who is most well known for her stunning petit point jewelry. There are 25 individually bezel set small, round turquoise stones of varying shades of turquoise from robins egg blue to deep green. The ring is a size 12 1/2 and I believe has been previously sized. It measures 7/8" long and 1 1/8" wide in the front. Weighing a solid 22 grams, it is in fine condition. There are no missing stones and no chips or cracks t...

A magnificent hand crafted, precisely stamped and chiseled heavy gauge sterling bolo with a beautiful center turquoise by Navajo Thomas Curtis who created for over 50 years, passing away in 2013.He took inspiration from nature and traditional Navajo designs and added his own unique talent to produce remarkable pieces of beauty and balance. This bolo measures 3" long x 2 1/2" across. The hand stamped silver tips are 2 3/4" tall. The bolo is set with a beautiful center turquoise stone and strun...

The epitome of minimalism and the best proof that when it's done correctly, it is the most elegant style, this vintage Danish sterling silver and banded agate ring is signed by Bruno Jorgensen who was active in Virum until his death in 1973. There is nothing about this piece I would change - I love the way the flat cut of the stone reveals its two colors; I love the laconic design of the silver setting; and that touch of black enamel which accentuates the stepped construction of its bezel. Curre...

This bracelet features an iconic design by Abraham Paz. Paz designed and produced jewelry not only for himself, but for Fred Davis as well. This piece is composed of five hand-carved and polished obsidian masks which alternate with silver shields. Measures a closed, wearable length of 7 1/8", with a width of 15/16". Weight is 38.2 grams. Signed and hallmarked "AP Sterling Mexico", along with the eagle assay 1. Collector quality.

Beautiful, rare cuff with silver overlay and center deep red coral stone by Master Hopi Silversmith Victor Coochwytewa (1922- 2011) who began producing in the 40's and is best known for his traditional Hopi patterns. His career spanned over 50 years and he retired from jewelry making in 2006.This bracelet measures 5 1/4" around in the inside plus an additional 1 1/4 opening. It is 1 1/4" wide in the front, tapers to 3/4" in the back and weighs 64 grams. The bracelet is in fine original condition...

"Mask" jewelry is not a rarity in the world of vintage Mexican silver yet the portrayals are almost always of ancient, Mesoamerican faces. And even though I am a very big fan of them as long as both the carving and the setting is interesting, I am thrilled to be presenting here a big brooch by A. Tobias housing the portrait of a more "contemporary" man. There is something in this "mask" that screams "Roman" to me and I know the typology might not even justify it but that was my initial reaction ...