Catalog (525)

One side oval, the other oblong; both sides are marked sterling. The bridge links are secure and the abalone is in nice condition, with no cracks or chips. The longer side measures ¾ inch long, the other measures ½ inch long.

Rectangular, with one side decorated with elaborate raised flower and scrolled leaves. The anchor button shows lengthwise ridges. The marks look to be European, but are as yet unidentified. The cuff links look hardly worn, with secure bridge bars and connecting rings. The larger buttons measure ¾ inch by ½ inch. Weight: 11.2 grams total

Decorated with three curved inset areas of abalone, surrounding an impressed and oxidized pre-Columbian motif. The clip is secure and retains its flexibility; it appears to have been hardly used. The back bears a Mexican circular mark indicating sterling and the maker’s initials of GAV. The clip measures 1 ¾ inches wide by 2 1/8 inches long. Gross weight: 16.8 grams

Composed of cast rectangular double links, this classy bracelet from the 1960s-1970s is sturdy and well made with completely soldered connecting bars. The bracelet has a good heft and a secure, clever clasp with a pressure spring closure. The bracelet is marked for sterling, with a partial mark of ITALY and a double-struck partial sterling mark. The bracelet measures 7 ¾ inches long and a little over ¼ inch wide. Weight: 29.6 grams

This impressive and substantial necklace with good heft is composed of what appears to be a birdcage-style chain alternating with twisted elements. It is secured by a working box clasp. The clasp bears the Mexican marks for sterling and a post-1980 maker’s mark, the first letter of which is obscured. It measures 18 inches long, doubled. Weight: 132.7 grams

Composed of curved openwork panels formed as highly stylized bird heads, possibly eagles, with a pre-Columbian influence. The tongue-and-groove clasp is original and very secure for this substantial bracelet. It is bears the circular mark for Pedro Castillo, who worked for Spratling and Aguilar in the 1930s and started his own taller in the 1940s (per Bille Hougart’s ‘Little Book’ of Mexican silver marks, p. 41). It measures 7 ½ inches long, taking into account the curved panels, by 7/8 inch wide. The detached security chain can be removed or re-attached, depending on buyer preference. Weight: 83.8 grams

The pendant is composed of two hand-wrought flat pieces of sterling silver formed into an oval with three applied silver beads on one side. An irregular-shaped piece of polished moss agate, mounted in a sterling bezel, dangles in the center. The entire pendant is suspended from a substantial sterling chain of forged wire. One of the forged links near the hook clasp bears a crown with a W above; another link is marked with an overstruck W. Two of the links indicate sterling. The necklace measures 13 ½ inches long, clasped. The pendant alone measures 3 3/8 inches long, including the bale, and 2 inches wide.

Dramatically decorated with an embossed and oxidized Celtic design. The inside of the cuff exhibits hammering; it is quite sturdy and has retained its shape. The bracelet shows hardly any signs of wear. It is marked 925 sterling inside the band. It measures 1 ¼ inches wide and the opening measures anbout 1 inch across. It has a 7-inch internal circumference. Weight: 61 grams

The pendant is composed of a forged oval frame surrounding an applied lost-wax cast piece of organic design. It is suspended from a sturdy leather cord that exhibits some wear and stiffness. The necklace is secured by a spring-ring clasp marked sterling. The pendant is unmarked, but tests as sterling silver; its surface is tarnished and could use a light cloth polishing. The necklace measures 14 ½ inches long when clasped; the pendant measures 2 ½ inches long (including the bail) by 1 5/8 inches wide. Gross weight: 24.7 grams

This quirky and charming bird pin is the work of a talented Peruvian jeweler named Goizueta, of whom very little is known. The pin is set with two pieces of greenish-blue stone known as azurite or chrysocolla. There is some roughness to the edges of the round piece, but it is securely mounted. The pin has a secure rollover clasp and bears the name of T. Goizueta, as well as marks for sterling and Peru. It is quite substantial and measures 1 ¼ inches by 1 ¾ inches.

The top is formed as a folded leaf, applied to a ribbed band, enameled in blue and turquoise. The inner band is marked with the maker’s mark of Josie, along with marks for sterling and a number, possibly 10.54. There is also another mark that resembles concentric circles and that could represent a copyright mark. The leaf part of the ring measures 1 ½ inches long by about 5/8 inch at its widest area. The ring is a size 6 scant. Weight: 8.8 grams

Wide copper band is decorated with an applied brass monkey figure inspired by a Precolumbian motif (see the last photo). It is inset with small pieces of abalone. On one side is a discolored area, of about ½ inch square, left from an old label. As the discoloration is on the side, it is not obvious when the cuff is worn. The bracelet measures 2 ½ inches at its widest part and 2 ½ inches across the opening. It has a 7 ½-inch internal circumference.

Formed as hollow cast discs, embossed and chased with elaborate floral designs, and bezel-set with carnelian beads – one of which shows a partial hole to one side. The earrings are secured with working clip backs; the maker’s impressed mark looks like Zuoco or Zocco. The earrings measure 1 ¼ inches in diameter.

Of leafy abstract design, outlined in sterling silver, enameled in purple, yellow and blue, with a plain sterling silver band. The inner band bears the maker’s mark of Josie, along with marks for sterling and a number, possibly 10.54. There is also another mark that resembles concentric circles and that could represent a copyright mark. The top of the ring measures 1 1/8 inches long by 7/8 inch wide; the ring is a size 4 ½. Weight: 5.4 grams

This impressive Mexican silver link bracelet, probably made for the tourist trade, has a distinctive and quite unusual design. It is composed of gilded silver and green glass cabochons to imitate jade. The four linked panels are large openwork rosettes, applied to embossed floral frames. The links are well soldered; one is slightly separated but still secure. The glass cabochons show no wear. The box for the tongue clasp is impressed with the early Mexico/Silver mark; the bracelet dates from the 1930s to the mid-1940s. It measures 7 ½ inches long and about 1 1/2 inches wide. Matching screw-back earrings are also available (please inquire).

The earrings are composed of single rosettes of gilded sterling silver and iridescent green glass. The screw backs are marked ‘Mexico/Silver.’ Each earring measures 1 ¼ inches wide.

A handmade studio piece with a rectangular top mounted with a lavender stone that tests as tanzanite or chalcedony. The work has a roughness to it, but the ring is sturdy and the stone is very secure. The ring is unmarked, but tests definitively as sterling silver. The top of the ring measures 1 1/8 inches long by 5/8 inch wide. It is a size 5 1/2.

A colorful studio piece molded as an abstract, modified circle and enameled in browns and blues. The back bears a secure rollover clasp on one side and a pendant bale on the other. The piece works best, however, as a pin. There are some illegible marks on the back; although the pin does not indicate silver, it does test definitively as silver, but not sterling. It measures 2 inches by 1 ¾ inches. Weight: 11.9 grams