A superb early vintage Mexican Silver Bracelet by the famous Matilde Poulat aka MATL. Features her signature ornate silver work and a lovely combination of Coral and Turquoise cabochon stones. Measures 7" long, 1 1/2" wide and is quite heavy at 79.5 grams. With the early hallmark "Matl, 0.925, Hecho en Mexico, D.F. MATL" which dates the bracelet to the 1934-48 time period. (Mark is a bit worn). In good condition with a secure box clasp. A fantastic bracelet by this highly sought after artist.

One of Margot's most famous and iconic designs, this wonderful bracelet features alternating links of AM & PM set above a darkened background along with a dangling Hour Glass Charm. The bracelet measures 6 1/2" long by 5/8" wide, the charm measures 1 1/2" long by 1" wide with a total weight of 58.4 grams. Hallmarked Margot de Taxco, Sterling Made in Mexico, 5201 and the eagle stamp. In good condition with a secure clasp and safety chain...

A simply stunning vintage Necklace by Los Castillo featuring heavy sterling repousse work in a outstanding foliate design. Measures 15 1/2" long, 1" wide, and weighs a heavy 124.5 grams. With the early linear mark of Los Castillo, Taxco, Sterling, Mexico, 116. Hook closure. Lovely deep patina that beautifully highlights the exceptional repousse work. This necklace is a true beauty!

Gorgeous sterling silver repousse links with an openwork design come together to create a beautiful bracelet by the famous Margot de Taxco. A large bracelet it measures 7 1/2" long by 1 1/2" wide and weighs a heavy 65.7 grams. Hallmarked Margot de Taxco, Sterling Made in Mexico, 5513A and the eagle 16. Nice patina, secure box clasp and attached safety chain. A lovely Margot bracelet.

This elegant Sterling Silver bracelet by Margot de Taxco has an Art Deco feel with slightly curved links that wrap around your wrist. Measures 8" long, 7/8" wide and weighs 46.6 grams. Hallmarked Margot de Taxco, Sterling Made in Mexico, 5646A with the eagle 16. Very well made with a secure clasp and safety chain. An elegant, lovely bracelet with timeless appeal.

Beautifully designed and crafted, this early vintage bracelet features gorgeous Turquoise stones in both oval and round shapes set in thick heavy silver links. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown mark, Silver Made in Mexico, ZZ555 and the eagle 17. Measures 6 1/2" long by 1" wide and is a hefty 71.4 grams. Secure clasp and safety chain. A stunning and seldom seen bracelet.

Heavy 970 Silver open work bracelet by the famous Antonio Pineda. Measures 7" long by 1" wide and weighs a hefty 116.5 grams. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown, 970, Sterling Mexico, Silver with the eagle l7. Secure clasp and attached safety chain, some light age related wear. A special bracelet that you will love and wear for a lifetime.

One of the most successful duo in Taxco’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance, Cecilia and Tono excelled in some of the most difficult techniques in jewelry making like piedra negra, metales casados and mozaico Azteca. Their jewelry is usually modernist yet their designs unfailingly reference Mexico’s rich archeological heritage...

Circa 1930's to early 1940's, this is a dramatic necklace from Mexico City silversmith JGD, one of several artisans in this early era who produced this type of folk art jewelry. Composed of eighteen panels, each with a faceted amethyst and fourteen turquoise cabochons. Length is 17", width is 1 1/2". Weight is 183.9 grams. Signed and hallmarked "JGD Hecho en Mexico D.F. 925". In fine vintage condition.

A very striking pair of vintage sterling and aventurine handmade, one-of-a-kind earrings by Israeli Modernist designer Rachel Gera. Hanging 2 3/4" long and 1" wide, they have clip backs and weigh 29grams total. They are in fine original condition and signed as shown. Great green stones and a very fun design. Born in 1936, Rachel Gera passed away in February of this year. Her creations were all very unique.

Hallmarks date this Valentin Vidaurreta book-piece 1948-1955. Vidaurreta designed jewelry for himself, William Spratling, Fred Davis, and Hector Aguilar. As well he was a painter and illustrator. This very rare piece is shown on p.89 of "Silver Seduction : The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda". With an art nouveau design, it is an exquisitely crafted pin...

Offered on consignment.....

This pre-1948 bracelet is a huge, wide, weighty piece and a Fred Davis design. It's unsigned, marked simply "Silver Mexico".

The panels have a geometric design inspired by pre-Columbian clay stamps which Davis collected. You can see a similar Fred Davis bracelet with amethysts in my shop.

Bracelet measures a closed, wearable length of 7", with a width of 2 1/8"...

Offered on consignment.......

This masterpiece from Fred Davis is heavy and spectacular, with five huge oval amethyst cabochons framed within silver with a geometric design inspired by pre-Columbian clay stamps which he collected. This bracelet is a book-piece design, shown in "Dreaming In Silver" by Penny C. Morrill, p. 69.

The amethyst gemstone measure 1 1/2" x 3/4"...

This mid-century masterpiece is the work of Felipe Martinez, whose shop was called Piedra Y Plata.

The hand-carved and polished amethyst face is a gorgeous shade of purple and the repoussé silver work is magnificent. Earrings are obsidian...

A book piece for Sigi Pineda, the “boomerang” brooch belongs in a line of jewelry in which the Taxco modernist combined layering, purposefully applied oxidation and vividly colored semi-precious and hard- stones to create slick, modernist, I would even say space-age, designs that seems as relevant today as they did when they were first introduced to the world...

Dating in the earlier period of Matilde Poulat’s extraordinary career, the cross pendant presented here is adorned with Matl’s favorite stones - turquoise, amethyst and coral. Inspired by Mexico’s rich folk art, it belongs in her daringly eye-catching series of “jeweled” creations but here, there is an additional motif that makes the pendant even more precious. Namely, the two small repousse angel dangles, facing each other in a kneeling position with lit candles in their hands...

An elegant 18K gold and platinum marquise ring set with a central row of oval sapphires surrounded by rose cut diamonds. The sapphires have nicely saturated coloring, and the diamonds have good brilliance. The design is finished with a pierced gallery along the edges. Marquise rings were very fashionable in the Edwardian period and have a very elegant appearance on the hand. Today, they are among the most desirable shapes for engagement rings...

A nice silver pendant depicting the solar system and the attributes of the sign Scorpio—a scorpion a depiction of the god Mars representing the planet that rules those born into Scorpio. The pendant is signed “AC” and is stamped with French silver hallmarks.

• Origin: France, ca. 1970
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 15/16” x 1-3/8”
• Weight: 8.6 grams

An interesting silver pendant depicting the solar system and the attributes of the sign Leo—a lion and a depiction of the sun representing the heavenly body that rules those born into Leo. The pendant is signed “AC” and is stamped with French silver hallmarks.

• Origin: France, ca. 1970
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 3/4” x 1-1/4”
• Weight: 5.2 grams

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...

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...

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. The Cuban link bracelet presented here is defini...

A very good French Art Nouveau 18K gold watch pin in the form of a mythological creature that appears to be a dragon with outspread feathered wings. The details are beautifully worked. The reverse is engraved to match the front. The creature grasps an antique cushion cut diamond in its jaws. The pin retains its original watch hook on the back. This piece could easily and inexpensively be transformed into a pendant with the additional of two pendant hooks at the wingtips. The back is marked with ...

An elegant Art Nouveau bracelet worked in 18K gold, each link is the form of a pansy enclosed in a scrolling border. The Victorian floriography (the “language of flowers”), the pansy represented the sentiment “think of me.” Jewels with pansies were often given as a romantic gesture or by the parents of a young woman upon her marriage. The bracelet is stamped with 18K fineness marks and an unidentified goldsmith’s mark.

• Origin: France, ca. 1900
• Condition: excellent

A fine pair of French Art Nouveau 18K gold cufflinks, the faces depicting a mythological dragon with a scaly body and feathered wings. The cufflinks are very finely detailed. The back are stamped with French 18K gold marks.

• Origin: France, ca. 1890
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: faces, 9/19” diameter
• Weight: 9.8 grams

Four large heavy sterling silver links set with oval cabochon Amethyst stones create a spectacular bracelet by the famous Fred (Frederick) Davis. Each link measures 2 1/4" by 1 3/4" with a total length of 7". Very heavy at 116 grams. Hallmarked with the joined FD, Silver Mexico. Pin closure. Nice condition, with light wear, tarnish. This is a seldom seen bracelet and a wonderful treasure for the collector.

The busy, ever-changing worlds of the bottom of the sea and the shores of tranquil lakes unfold themselves in the carefully worked repousse silver frames surrounding the chunky turquoise "rocks" that adorn this early 20th c. Chinese necklace and earrings set. I never cease to be amazed at the amount of minute detail Chinese silversmiths were able to condense into such small spaces without ever losing the crispness of each motif. It is very difficult to create jewelry so generously embellished wi...

This unique vintage Necklace is by the wonderful Margot de Taxco whose skill as a designer is considered to be among the finest of the all the Silver Masters. The links are a row of Roman Numerals from 1 to 12 set between small silver beads. It measures 14 1/2" long by 3/4" wide and it weighs 67 grams. Hallmarked Margot de Taxco, 5201, Sterling Made in Mexico with the eagle 16. Secure box clasp. Light signs of wear and tarnish and a great example of the artistry of Margot de Taxco.

This rare and beautiful bracelet by the famous Matilde Poulat features two silver repousse Doves at the center set with Turquoise, Coral and Amethyst stones with side links set with small Turquoise. Measures 7" long by 2" wide at the front and weighs 78.1 grams. Early hallmark of MATL in script with Hecho en Mexico, 0.925. It has not been polished and shows age related tarnish. A superb bracelet and a rare find.

I never tire of the double-sided pendant necklaces Victor Jaimez created for Emma Melendez. The perfect blend of Aztec Revival and modernismo Mexicano, they are unfailingly characterized by craftsmanship of the highest level and meticulous finishing. At the same time dramatic and awe-inspiring, the pendant's two sides showcase several techniques as overlay, oxidation and mozaico inlay come together to create the image of Quetzalcoatl and the abstract figure of a Meso-american monkey. The chain ...

Born in Florence, Italy but spending her life as a designer and silversmith in Lima, Peru, Graziella Laffi found inspiration in the art of her adopted country's old civilizations, respectfully situating ancient motifs in her own, mid-century context. Laffi is habitually referred to by all who loyally collect her work as "the Spratling of Peru", a parallel that bespeaks the originality of her work and the quality of the jewelry, hollowware and decorative items she created. In the brooch presented...

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. The brooch measures 2 1/8"...

A figural repousse Mexican Deco brooch in sterling silver this "portrait" piece bears the signature of early Mexico City maestro M. Velazquez. Over the years of my love affair with vintage Mexican silver jewelry, I have come to know and appreciate Velazquez's work for its "earthiness", its craftsmanship and the interesting designs he created. The specific "mask" motif I have had a few times in the past in necklace, ring and brooch forms but always anonymous. Often described as an Aztec or Maya "...

Elegant and "quiter" than most Matilde Poulat jewelry, this early repousse bracelet by the big maestra exhibits nonetheless all the attributes Matl's work is avidly sought after and venerated for. Repoussage that creates a body with impeccable texture and perfect finishing, a gorgeous golden sheen obsidian cabochon and, of course, the Mexico City style silver-work which to me represents Mexico's Arts and Crafts movement. What is there not to love here? I am very attracted to the size which allow...

An early Mexican Deco bracelet, made in Mexico City as indicated by its hallmarks, this massive piece is as well-crafted as it is impressive. Impressive might even be an understatement, actually. Though it is true that vintage Mexican silver jewelry is not of the delicate, demure kind, even after so many years of researching, buying and selling them, I find myself at a loss for words when a piece like this shows up. I love the Spanish Colonial air of the wirework adorning the convex panels with ...

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...

Hand-hammered silver reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts movement and a jade bead that brings to mind ancient Aztec and Maya jewelry combine in this sterling silver ring by the Los Castillo. The specific design does not come up very often. In all my years of buying and selling vintage Mexican jewelry I have only had two examples - the second one being the one offered here. Simple yet not simplistic, easy to wear, a pleasure to behold the ring is currently a sz 8 US (resizable by your jeweler) an...

One of my favorite female designers of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance (and admittedly, they aren't so many to begin with), Carmen Beckmann was a rather flexible maestra, able to create in many different styles. using a variety of materials. Her jewelry can be massive and jaw-dropping but quite as easily delicate and more sophisticated. The bracelet I am presenting here I call rare not so much for its design (which I have not seen before) but primarily for the scarcely seen snowflake obsidia...

A multi-talented award-winning artist, Arno Malinowski worked for Georg Jensen for several years and created some iconic designs for the company. His most popular pieces are brooches wrought in sterling and inspired by the natural world - deer, birds, dolphins, alone or in delicately depicted foliage, their bodies rendered with such sensitivity, one feels compelled to constantly run one's fingers over them. The bird portrayed in the brooch at hand is illustrative of what I am trying to say. The ...

After working for Spratling in Las Delicias and Hector Aguilar in Taller Borda, Reveriano Castillo opened his shop Reveri in 1952 with the co-operation of his wife, Maria. His jewelry is known for its impeccable finishing and the good quality of materials used so I am always happy to come upon one of his creations. The set of earrings at hand in an abstract floral design with articulated stamen dangle is as sweet-as-can-be and ideal to celebrate the coming of Spring this year. Measuring 1 3/4...

Classic Antonio Pineda bangle bracelet wrought in the maestro's favorite, .970 fine silver alloy with deep notches all around it that appear more dramatic thanks to the intentionally applied oxidation. There is something about Antonio's jewelry that bring them close to your heart as soon as you first see them and this piece is no exception. Enjoy it alone or, if you are lucky enough, add it to the stack of his bangles you already have. The bracelet has an inner circumference of 7 3/4" (2 1/2" i...

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...

Maestro Damaso Gallegos was for years associated in my mind with the Mexican Deco "Christmas jewelry” tradition. His “holly and bells” as well as “bow and bells” designs are a classic way to celebrate the coming of the holiday season yet in the last couple of years I keep stumbling upon totally unexpected pieces by him. The massive, early Taxco combination pin / pendant with the carved stone “mask” at hand is crafted in high purity, .980 silver with overlay, beading and oxidation. ...

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. Based on my experience I can say that jewelry bearing their signature is not very often encountered but when it pops up, it is always on big, bold and bea...

Hand wrought in thick silver & weighing 95 grams this cuff was designed by Spratling in the 1940's. The bracelet stands 1 1/2" high and will comfortably fit up to a 6 3/4" wrist. Inside diameter is 2 1/2". The back opening is 1 1/4" wide. The bracelet is in beautiful condition with a nicely aged patina. Hallmarked on the reverse. The design is pictured on p. 37 of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk. Also pictured on Phyllis Goddards' spratlingsilver.com.

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. Just like the one I offered last summer, this lariat was also made in Cuernavaca, one of Mexico's main silver-smithing ...

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. Interest...

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. The earrings measure 1 3/4" tall by 3/4" wide and weigh 12....

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. Signed and hallmarked with linear marks "Los Castillo Sterling Mex...

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". I have sold...

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. Clearly a piece of wearab...

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. And though quite far from his birthplace, his form is often depicted in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and over the years, I have had several bea...

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...

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. Signed and hallmarked "980 Los Castillo...

Maestro Nestor is one of Taxco’s well-kept little secrets. He is not widely known - only the very dedicated vintage Mexican silver jewelry collectors are aware of his work - and his pieces can vary in style and inspiration. Yet when he is at his best, he can be truly spectacular. I believe the necklace at hand is expresses one of those creative moments. Lovingly hand-cut and deeply chased sterling silver surrounds a big faceted amethyst set in a substantial crown setting while the delicate fol...

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. Slick, elegant, versatile - a combination which still speaks to our modern eye even though created almost a century ago. The neck ring has an inner circumference of 16” (including the 1 1/...

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...