Attributions are a difficult issue in the world of vintage Mexican silver jewelry - they are almost never accepted. If a piece is not signed, it’s just not signed! In this case, however, I will put my years of experience behind my suggestion that the necklace I am presenting here is the work of Reveriano Castillo. When I acquired it, it had no clasp and since the specific Reveri design is usually marked exactly there, the connection to its maker was lost...

This is from a Virginia, USA Estate. A RETRO ERA 1950 - 1975 DIAMOND wSAPPHIRES RING. Center Dimaond is .55 CARAT, SI1 VS2 Clarity, GH Color, Modern Brilliant Cut. Beautifully Chased on the Sides and there are another 6 Accent Diamonds mounted at the shoulders. Beautiful Genuine Sapphires.

Big statement vintage 1960s mixed metals copper with brass appliques and green onyx stones hinged bangle bracelet by Mexican maker Casa Maya. Marked MAYA MEXICO. With pin closure. The copper has a darkened decorative finish. The green cylindrical stones are held with bolts. 2 1/8 inches wide and 7 inches inside circumference. The inside diameters are 2 3/8 and 2 1/8 inches...

This is a fabulous pair of vintage Tiffany and Co.14k yellow gold rectangular shape toggle back cuff links featuring a raised center channel of five rich-hue sapphires set on a diagonal grooved background. Each marked Tiffany & Co, 14k and makers mark ANG. Weight: 16.7g; Size: 3/4" x 1/2". Condition is excellent

A 10k vintage yellow gold ring c1950s-60, set with a natural rock crystal. This size 6 ring measures 5/16" across the stone and it weighs 2.1 grams. This ring is stamped TJF and 10K and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, dents, bends, corrosion, losses, damage or repairs. All items are thoroughly and conservatively graded and all condition issues are noted; all items are vintage or antique and may have slight signs of gentle use...

Signed and numbered, this bold, modernist, suite is c. 1960’s. It is by the Danish designer Jorgen Jensen: best known for his work with pewter. The radiant, matching disks are concave and convex with a textured, sunburst design. The screwback earrings are marked, “PEWTER,” “Jorgen Jensen” (in script: his maker’s mark), “DENMARK 75 A.” They have a diameter of 7/8”...

Fabulous heavy vintage 18 kt yellow gold and enamel Double Giraffe Band Ring featuring two finely detailed burgundy and white enamel giraffe heads, stamped 18K . Size: 6. WT: 13 grams. Condition is excellent.

A vintage modernist pendant necklace by noted mid century jeweler, Winifred Mason Chenet from her highly collectible Voodoo line. Pendant measures 3" long and 1 1/8" at the widest. Possibly pewter. Intricate chain is made up of silver colored squiggled links connected with brass rings and silver colored curved in links. Measures 32" long. No clasp, meant to go over the head. There is a little tarnish. Signed chenet on the back of the pendant. Interesting rare example.

An elegant pair of 18K yellow gold earclips by Haroldo Burle Marx set with intricately carved jelly tourmalines in the “forma livre” (free form) style. Burle Marx was particularly known for his use of stones fashioned by carving or tumbling rather than faceting, a technique he invented in 1948. The tourmalines have greenish blueish overtones. The elongated shape of the stones, mirrored by the shape of the settings looks very good on the ear...

A pair of 18K yellow gold cufflinks with a classic 1960's brushed gold texture. The texture is worked in short sections oriented in random directions, giving the effect of leopard spots in racking light. The toggle backs are worked in a simple ribbed design...

An important, rare modernist bracelet by the renowned African American jeweler, Art Smith. Made of woven, riveted and patinated copper.

Measures 5 3/4" around with an opening of 1 1/4" and 1 3/4" wide. Marked with the 'Art Smith' script signature in at least two places. Looks like there is also a third partial strike. Very good condition with some minor surface scratches and areas of tarnish.

A wonderful example of Mid Century Modernist design.

A stylized geometric openwork design characterizes this handmade bronze ring, made around 1965-1970. The band is adjustable, and bears the unidentified maker’s mark of P.N., in addition to the Finland mark. The tiny bumps of metal on the edges are from the casting process. The top measures 1 ¼ inches long by 1 inch wide; the band is currently sized at approximately a 7.

This is a gorgeous modernist Mexican bracelet from Salvador Teran...

A fine pair of modernist 18K yellow gold cufflinks designed by Georges Lenfant for Mauboussin. The faces are designed as four interlocking squares decorated with three types of surface treatment--high polish, florentine engraving, and wood-textured engraving. The hinged backs are finished with florentine engraving...

Stunning dramatic Kenneth J. Lane long drop clip earrings perfect for resort and summer. Circa 1965. Made from raffia paillettes (sequins) sewn in fish scale patterns and with tiny white glass beads and larger wooden beads sewn around the outlines. Marked K.J.L. on the clip backs. From a Philadelphia estate. Great size -- 3 1/2 inches long and 2 3/8 inches wide. Excellent condition. One earring has had some slight reinforcing of threads at the top back for security...

Beautiful vintage 18K yellow gold ring with tiny persian turquoise beads. Hallmarked Italy and 18K (partially worn away). Size 8.5, can be sized. Weight is 7.6 grams

Circa mid-century, this ring was produced by Antonio Pineda. It's a thick and substantial ring, with a superb modernist twist design. Hand-wrought with 970 silver, the center design appears to be gold plating over brass, providing a gorgeous contrast. Measures a size 7 3/4, but a jeweler can easily adjust the size slightly smaller or larger. Weight is 11.8 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco crown, the eagle assay 17, 970, and Hecho en Mexico Silver. In excellent v...

A very attractive pair of 18K yellow gold cufflinks in the stirrup (“etrier”) style originally popularized by Cartier in the Art Deco era. The solid hinged bar passes through the cuff holes and the angled legs surround the outside of the cuffs to hold them securely together. The legs are decorated in an elegant herringbone weave pattern that creates just a little soft sparkle. The cufflinks are fully stamped with French 18K gold hallmarks and have an unidentified maker’s mark.

Origin:...

A very nice 14K yellow gold pendant set with a circle of diamonds around a natural black star sapphire. The cabochon sapphire is very fine quality with excellent asterism (the star-like effect). The diamonds are bead-set in white gold. Exposed areas of gold have a Florentine finish that contrasts nicely with the sparkle of the diamonds and sapphires. Tested and guaranteed 14K gold.

The 16" 14K gold chain shown in the photos is available for an additional $85.

Origin: America, ca. 1970. Condi...

*On Hold* This mid-century masterpiece from Talleres de Los Ballesteros is a book-piece design shown on p. 227 of Warman's Jewelry 3rd Edition. It's an iconic bracelet, with gorgeous faceted amethysts and incised stars which are oxidized in the recesses. The amethysts sit high in four pronged settings. Opens wide to easily fit over the wrist and closes with a tight and secure tongue in box clasp. Closed, interior length is 6 3/4", with a 1 3/4" width. Weight is 122.3 grams. A very subst...

Stunning vintage three strand necklace with large coral glass lampworked beads simulating coral, and green poured glass beads with white accents simulating carved jade. Also with ornate gilt metal filigree findings and large beads, and fine metal links. With a hook clasp with a flower. The glass beads and the filigree elements are characteristically French. Circa 1960. Wearable length is 19 1/2 inches. The center drops about 3 inches. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show de...

This mid-century chili pepper bracelet is the work of Salvador Teran. Teran worked with William Spratling at Taller de Las Delicias before leaving with his cousins, the Castillo brothers, in 1939 to work with them at their new taller, "Los Castillo." Considered by many to be a genius at designing, Salvador worked at Los Castillo for many years before establishing his own taller "La India Bonita" in 1952. This is a stunning modernist piece, with two chili peppers front and center, and a bird cage...

Circa mid-century, here is a very seldom seen book-piece design from Antonio Pineda.

Shown on page 148 of Gobi Stromberg's "Silver Seduction : The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda", this is a magnificent bracelet with a stunning modernist design. Composed of eight thick sleek rectangular links which have bezel-set carnelian gemstones, each with a silver disc rising from the center. It's a very unusual piece, and a real attention grabber. It also has a completely seamless appear...

Superchic vintage Lanvin necklace in goldtone with a metal and translucent Bakelite pendant which slides on a flexible snake chain. Circa 1965. Marked LANVIN PARIS on the back of the pendant and also with a metal hang tag in the form of a conjoined J and L, for Jeanne Lanvin. The Bakelite tests positive with Simichrome. With the recent resurgence of the house of Lanvin, vintage 1960s and 1970s Lanvin jewelry is hotter than ever. 16 1/2 inches wearable length. The pendant is an addi...

A fine modernist pendant designed as an 18K yellow gold frame enclosing a square plaque of smoky quartz with beveled edges. The front side of the gold frame has two geometric insets, a large square that occupies a fourth of the surface and a small quarter-circle at the opposite corner. This asymmetrical use of complimentary symmetrical shapes is reminiscent of the Mondrian paintings that inspired Yves Saint-Laurent’s 1965/66 couture collection. The pendant retains its original jump ring, st...

Stunning necklace with very large opaline glass beads simulating moonstones, and very large colorless faceted crystal beads. Probably French, circa 1960. Outstanding construction; all the beads are wired with heavy brass wires. It is a long strand with two layers; I have shown it doubled and worn shorter with a necklace extender and I will provide one free of charge. Wearable length is 34 inches. Each opaline bead is 20 mm long and each crystal bead is 10 mm in diameter. Excellent...

Being offered is a superb and exceedingly rare circa 1968 gold modernist ring by Antonio Pineda of Taxco, Mexico, the bypass design of yellow gold with pink gold wire accent mounted in 14k gold. Size is illustrated - 6 1/2. Stamped 14k and Pineda Marked. In excellent condition. 13.8 grams. Rare rare rare!!

Luminous vintage glass beaded necklace in pale blue transparent glass beads clustered in groups, with large and small silvertone metal hollow beads, and melon shaped blue glass beads at the ends, with small silvertone spacers. Circa 1965. This piece is French; the shapes of the poured glass beads and the wired clustered construction are distinctively French. A fabulous piece in a great statement size and perfectly of the moment; the statement necklace is the "it" accessory of the season. Weara...

Confident in his prowess as a warrior and comfortable in his ceremonial attire this Margot de Taxco silver and enamel Aztec figure can be enjoyed both as a brooch as well as a pendant. Though experimentation with the art of enameling started while Margot was still part of the Los Castillo workshop, it was after her divorce with Antonio that she focused on perfecting it in her own, independent taller. And perfect it she did. So much so that today, when one thinks of Mexican enamel jewelry, one un...

This theatre, comedy tragedy pin measures 1 1/2" x 1 5/8" (at highest and widest). It features the classic Comedy and Tragedy Masks. It is signed Renoir in script. It is c. 1960's. It is in excellent condition.

18K yellow gold necklace with graduated size quartz beads (largest is approximately 1/4 inch diameter to smallest at 1/8 inch diameter). Total length is 24-25 inches, can be adjusted shorter, as short as 16.5 inches. Weight is 36.2 grams. LAYAWAY AVAILABLE!.

Bold, clean lines on this sterling and coral ring by Frank Patania. The center coral is a deep, dark Mediterranean coral at its best. The ring is a size 6 1/2, measures 1" long and 5/8" wide and weighs 13 grams. Fine original condition with no chips or cracks to the stone. Signed as shown. A great mid-century design.

It's been a very long time since I offered a Mexican clamper bracelet and I am happy to be starting again with a classic Taxco design, this repousse and shadowbox "Quetzalcoatl" example. The maestro who signs it I am familiar with - he worked in Taxco and it seems that clamper bracelets were one of his favorite forms. Always beautifully executed, his repoussage has good sculpturality and finishing and his jewelry, albeit not as heavy as those of the big talleres, has the weight necessary to impa...

Hallmarks date this Hector Aguilar necklace 1948-1962. It's a beautiful heavy hand-wrought necklace in a seldom seen design.

Composed of twenty-two panels which resemble a lyre, executed in .940 silver with a warm patina, this piece is collector quality.

Measures 16" closed, wearable length. Width is 1/2".

Substantial in weight, at 90.3 grams.

Signed and hallmarked ".940 HA Taxco Mexico", with the eagle assay 9.

In excellent vintage conditio...

This mid-century bracelet from Antonio Pineda is one of his most spectacular modernist designs. Referred to as his "Saturn", "Ball Bearing", or "Ball & Sphere" bracelet, it's a heavy chunky very substantial piece. A bracelet which will not fail to be immediately noticed, and one which is pure luxe. It's a book-piece design which is shown on page 52 of Gobi Stromberg's "Silver Seduction : The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda", it's referred to as "Bracelet with spheres framed by oppo...

Felipe Martinez opened his shop, "Piedra Y Plata" in 1950. A former sculptor who had worked with Hubert Harmon in the 1940's, Martinez was known for his work with beautiful stones which melded seamlessly into his silver designs. This bracelet is an exquisite example of what he was known best for. It's a thick and substantial piece, with six silver panels - each having three sections of azurite stone inlay. This inlay work requires a great deal of time and skill, and the superb craftsmanship i...

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. All other pieces in the parure (necklaces, bracelets, brooches and earrings) can be found relatively easi...

Circa mid-century, here is an iconic book-piece design from Margot van Voorhies Carr, who shop and work is known as Margot de Taxco.

Margot's design # 5554 is an exquisite and intricately detailed hand wrought serpent bracelet. Melange enamel sits within tiny scales in the segmented articulated links. the snake head has black enamel eyes and a forked tongue sticks out from his open mouth.

Measures a closed, wearable length of 6 5/8", with a width in front of 1 1/2" from the...

Circa mid-century, this Antonio Pineda bracelet features ten oval moonstone cabochons nestled between ten curved silver panels.

This is a chunky modernist piece executed in almost pure 97% silver. The moonstones are magnificent, exhibiting a beautiful blue adularescence when the light hits it. It has a seamless appearance when closed, as the push button for the clasp is topped with a moonstone.

Measures a closed, wearable length of just over 7" and a width of 5/8". Wei...

Stunning vintage French clip drop earrings in silvertone metal with prong set colorless strass stones, faux pearls, and melon shaped openback poured glass stones in a fabulous green. With open wire clip backs. The connecting elements have dainty engraved decoration. The stones are probably Gripoix. Circa 1950 or 1960.

Nice size -- 2 3/4 inches long and 1 1/8 inches wide. Excellent condition. There are a few tiny fleabites on one pearl but it is not visible when the earrings are worn. The ...

Beautiful geometric design bracelet with a center genuine amethyst stone. Circa 1960. Marked LOS CASTILLO, TAXCO, design number 5, and with the eagle assay mark. Slide clasp. It weighs 78 grams. The center element holds a very large oval faceted amethyst, the shape of which is echoed by the two silver layers which frame it. The center element and the clasp are hinged and articulated. From a collection. 1 3/8 inches wide at the center and 6 1/2 inches wearable length. The color of ...

A fine modernist 18K yellow gold ring by Burle Marx set with an intricately carved bi-color watermelon tourmaline in the "forma livre" (free form) style. Haroldo Burle Marx was particularly known for his use of large gemstones, often fashioned by carving or tumbling rather than faceting, a technique he invented in 1948. The colors of the tourmaline are nicely contrasting an dhighly saturated. The gold surfaces are decorated with the fine florentined engraving typical of Marx's pieces. The interi...

Fabulous collier made from goldtone metal and wired glass beads simulating different colors of jade, coral, amber, turquoise, and lapis. Also with small goldtone metal beads which I have had on another signed French necklace. Slide clasp with matching wired beads. This could easily be lengthened by adding jump rings at either side of the clasp. I can have this done for a nominal fee. Wearable length is 15 1/2 inches. The drop is 2 1/2 inches. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to ...

A very nice pair of 18K yellow gold baton cufflinks, the batons worked with engraved reeding and each bound in a diagonal slash of gold with a hand-stippled surface. The baton faces are hinged so they can lie tightly against the cuff. The connectors are marked “18K Cherny”.

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent. Size: faces, 7/8” long. Weight: 10.6 gr.

Delicate and quite romantic with their Spanish Colonial bows and a half-hidden heart motif this set of Los Castillo earrings is elegant and nostalgic at the same time. Crisp finishing and a beautifully glowing patina complete the "package" - I will let the photos say the rest while I provide the specifics: 1 3/8" long by 1 1/8" wide, weighing 11.2 grams (for the set). Fully signed with maker's name as well as "TAXCO" and Eagle 15 assay mark. The set dates in the 1950s-60s and is in excellent vin...

A fine pair of 14K gold cufflinks set with high-domed amethyst cabochons by David-Andersen. The amethysts have deep, rich coloring and excellent clarity. David-Andersen is widely known for its enameled silver jewelry, but also made a very limited number of pieces in gold. Each cufflink is stamped “D-A 585”.

• Origin: Norway, ca. 1965
• Dimensions: faces, 1/2" diameter
• Condition: excellent, all original
• Weight: 11.7 grams
• Approximate Total Amethyst Weight: 2...

One of the best "manufacturers" of silver jewelry and holloware in Peru Industria Peruana created some amazing "Inca Revival" (if I am permitted the term) pieces around the middle of the 20th c. when Graziella Laffi was also active. Their designs are beautifully executed with crisp detail and careful finishing and very often it is Peru's rich history that provided the motifs. The necklace at hand with its three "Inca cat" links is also adorned with deep green/blue stone disks set as the felines'...

Circa mid-century, this Antonio Pineda cuff is a book-piece design shown in "Silver Seduction: The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda". Pure eye candy, this concave cuff features nine conical amethysts which appear to be floating on a center pivoting arm. The amethysts are wonderful old Mexican stones with natural inclusions and quartz marbling. This will fit a smaller wrist. Mine is 6" and it fits me comfortably with room to spare. It is not adjustable in size. Width is 1 5/8" in fro...

1960s earrings with French clip backs, and red poured glass cabochons at the top, and strands of red, blue, green, and colorless glass beads wired in goldtone metal, with filigree caps. Marked DEPOSE MADE IN FRANCE. 3 inches long and about 1 inch wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

A fine pair of modernist 18K yellow gold earclips by Burle Marx set with intricately carved amethysts in the “forma livre” (free form) style. Haroldo Burle Marx was particularly known for his use of large gemstones, often fashioned by carving or tumbling rather than faceting, a technique he invented in 1948. The color of the amethyst is deep purple and is nicely even throughout the stones. The gold surfaces are decorated with the fine florentined engraving typical of Marx’s pieces. The...

With hallmarks dating 1955-1962, this bracelet from Hector Aguilar is nothing short of spectacular.

It's a hand-wrought piece, with three huge oval azurite stones separated by silver twisted barbells. The back is a long silver ID bar, with the closure tongue sliding into it. Tight, secure, perfect.

This is a book piece design, shown in Penny C. Morrill's "Silver Masters of Mexico". However, this one is quite rare, having three large stones instead of five smaller ones.

A handsome pair of silver double-sided cufflinks in the form of horseshoes. The faces are nicely detailed and the cufflinks have good weight. The connectors are marked "935", indicating a purity slightly higher than sterling silver, and also have an unidentified maker's mark "MV."

• Origin: Continental Europe, probably Switzerland, ca 1950.
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: faces, 5/8" x 5/8".
• Weight: 8.5 grams.

Circa mid-century, this hinged bracelet was produced by Erika Hult de Corral and has her unmistakeable style. Rare to see one of her pieces executed in 980 silver as this one is. Hult worked with both Sigi Pineda and Enrique Ledesma before opening her own shop, and the influence of Sigi Pineda can certainly be seen in this bracelet.

It's a beautiful bangle bracelet, hinged on both sides to swing wide open. A dense green teardrop stone sits just off center within the modernist design w...

Often referred to as the "Spratling of Peru", Italian-born Graziella Laffi came to be associated with the country's most innovative design in jewelry and hollowware in the 1950s. Just like Spratling did in Mexico, Laffi turned to Peru's rich archeological past and its vibrant folk culture for inspiration. Her re-interpretations of ancient Inca motifs in silver, copper and enamel are avidly sought after by collectors today for their creative spirit and exceptional craftsmanship. The long dangle e...

A fine modernist 18K yellow gold ring by Burle Marx set with an intricately carved amethyst in the "forma livre" (free form) style. Haroldo Burle Marx was particularly known for his use of large gemstones, often fashioned by carving or tumbling rather than faceting, a technique he invented in 1948. The amethyst's deep purple color beautifully contrasts with the gold, which is worked with florentined engraving typical of Marx's pieces. Tested and guaranteed 18K. Marx did not always sign his p...

A very fine and heavy vintage 14K yellow gold necklace by Tiffany & Co. The timeless braided design is enhanced by the gradual tapering of width from the center toward the clasp. The flat braided construction allows the necklace to life flat against the throat. This design has been reinvented several times over the years, and this piece likely dates from the 1960s. It is not currently available, but chains of similar weight are available from Tiffany in the $5,000 range. The clasp is marked...

A classic design for renowned Taxco modernist Enrique Ledesma, this set of vintage sterling silver Mexican mid-century earrings comes with clips and is set with green inlay, possibly azur-malachite or some kind of agate. There is nothing fussy about the pair - good, honest materials, clarify of form and fluidity of lines. Isn't that the essence of modernism? Measuring 1 1/8" tall by 3/4" wide the earrings weigh 9.8 grams (for the set) and are fully and appropriately signed with maker's name as ...

Excellent vintage Sigi sterling and jasper bangle with two hinges. Marked SIGI, STERLING, HECHO EN MEXICO, and with design number 244. C. 1960. This piece is pictured on page 198 of "Mexican Silver" by Morrill and Berk. With a slide clasp and safety catch. Substantial at 71 grams/2.5 ounces. An outstanding mid-century modern piece.

1 1/2 inches wide at center and 7 inches inside circumference. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

A handsome and heavy 14K yellow gold ring in a flattened chain link design similar to the classic Gucci “Cuban Link” design. The ring is substantial enough to be worn by a man, but the openness of the design and the split shank makes it equally attractive for a woman. The interior is stamped 14K.

Origin: America, ca. 1965. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: crown, 7/16” x 3/4". Finger Size: 8-3/4. Weight: 9.4 grams.

Habitually referred to as the “Spratling of Peru”, Italian-born Graziella Laffi spearheaded Peru’s own Silver Renaissance in the 1950s. Based on ingenious re-interpretations of ancient Inca motifs, her jewelry, decorative objects and holloware are avidly sought after by committed collectors for their impeccable craftsmanship and inspired design. The set of figural earrings presented here, wrought in sterling silver with overlay and hand-etched details, is a small work of wearable art that...