Catalog: Archives: Estate Jewelry (468)

Margot de Taxco sterling silver necklace comprised of “hibiscus” links, this is the wider, more impressive version of the specific design. Beautifully worked repousse underscored with hand-chasing and beading combine here with warm patina in a wonderful example of Margot’s “naturalistic” creations. The matching bracelet is also available and the two pieces look stunning together as you can see in one of the photos...

Vintage Taxco silver by pass ring bearing the signature of Pedro Castillo, a member of the renowned family of silversmiths and designers who worked for Spratling and was a maestro at Aguilar’s Taller Borda. In 1940 Pedro opened his own workshop and is mostly known for his high quality flatware yet his jewelry, though they do not surface very often, is worth looking for...

Vintage Margot de Taxco "Hibiscus" earrings, this set represents the wider of the two versions available in this design. Carefully worked repousse enhanced with chasing and beading couple with warm patina in a pair of romantic, feminine earrings. Approx. 1 1/4" square, the set weighs 12.8 grams and is fully and appropriately hallmarked with Margot's signature as well as Eagle 16 assay mark and des no 5488. Dating in the 1950s and in excellent vintage condition...

Exceptional early Deco Taxco silver bracelet, its two parts formed by rows of repousse semi-spheres accented with green turquoise cabochons. This is one of my favorite forms in an exuberant design that never fails to attract attention. Bracelets like this come in a variety of widths – this one is, I believe, the widest you can get with eight rows of beads that, in the front panel, are enhanced by overlaid rows of stone and smaller beads...

Abraham Tobias is known for his stupendous repousse jewelry wrought in the Mexico City style associated with Matilde Poulat. His cuff bracelets are avidly collected for their bold and flawless repoussage and their, at times, stunning proportions. In the example at hand, a so-called “Aztec Rose” takes up almost the entire face of the bracelet and draws the eye immediately to its darkened recesses...

Early Taxco necklace in emulation of Matilde Poulat’s “Mexico City” repousse, this piece is wrought in 980 silver and its beauty is beyond words. Intense “tribal” flair , deep patina, strong repousse and the splash of green added by the malachite cabs combine to create a necklace fit for pre-Colombian royalty. Measuring approx...

One of my favorite Margot de Taxco designs and a clamper that will sweep you off your feet with its stunning “fleshiness” and the perfect way it holds its place when you have it on. This is Taxco at its best –impeccable finishing, amazing sense of design and beauty that defies the whims of fashion. A Margot classic and an heirloom quality bracelet...

C. Molina is an early maestro about whom we don’t know much but his mastery of the art of cutwork is becoming all the more appreciated. His silver work is so elaborate and his jewelry – which does not surface very often – so monumental in proportions that it is creating a steady following among collectors and discerning “well dressers” alike. The double-dangle earrings I am presenting here are stupendous and I particularly love the addition of the mask at the top...

One of the few female Taxco designers Erika Hult de Corral studied in Paris and worked for both Ledesma and Sigi Pineda before opening her own workshop. The ring at hand is, I believe, an original Sigi creation probably from the time that de Corral was working in his taller. Its fluid, mod lines and the big chrysoprase stone centering it draw the eye immediately and hold it captive effortlessly. Currently a sz 6 (yet resizable) its face is 1 1/8″ by 13/16″ and it weighs 15.5 grams...

Vintage silver and tiger's eye necklace by Erika Hult de Corral, the Taxco modernist designer with studies in Paris and apprenticeships in the workshops of both Ledesma and Sigi Pineda. I love Ric's jewelry for the fluidity of lines and her unique way of marrying sterling with hard stones. The necklace at hand has an inner circumference of 15 3/4" (clasped) with its width varying between 3/4" at center front and 1/8" at its narrowest, next to the clasp...

Possibly the most massive ring by Antonio I have ever seen and a very strong modernist statement at the same time, this is a piece that would fit right in the best collection of Pineda jewelry. Angularity that is softened by the stone's curves and the curled wire holding itin place combine with the setting's breath-taking size to create a visually powerful ring. Currently a sz 6, it can be easily resized by a good jeweler...

Hugest ever - literally! - FarFan earrings I have seen, can you believe this set? I am stunned by the proportions, the "elaborately" naive design and execution, the beautiful stones...

Old Peruzzi, Florence combination pin/pendant necklace, this is a fabulously worked piece in the shape of a big fleur-de-lis adorned with chasing, beading and set with 6 faceted gems. Having a sage green color, the stones register in the spinel area of my gem tester and they look gorgeous against the patina of their silver frame. I have paired it with an old chain which, I believe, provides a good match in age and proportions to the pendant. The brooch measures 2 1/2" tall by 2 1/16" wide and...

A stunner, early Deco Flli Coppini pendant necklace, this piece is not only holding a beautiful St. George slaying the Dragon medallion but it's adorned with a multitude of figural charms. Combinations like this are very hard to find and as the example at hand is wrought in .800 silver, it dates most probably in the pre-1934 period, when the sterling standard had not been yet adopted by the Italian authorities. Measuring 27 3/4" long the chain has a total of 9 charms, many related to the histor...

Steeped in Mexico's rich cultural past, vintage silver Quetzalcoatl jewelry are stunning and one of my favorite sub-genres in the Taxco field. I have seen many variations of the divine Feathered Serpent, some times in repousse and others carved and overlaid like here. Anonymous yet masterfully made and quite unusual in its rendition of the motif, the necklace is 14 1/2" long (it feels like and wears a little longer due to the curve in its central part) yet can easily be made longer with the ad...

A very intriguing combination pin/pendant necklace wrought in 980 silver and adorned with scrumptious amethysts and pearls. The design reminds me of Margot's hand but it's signed by a maker who, though listed, remains unidentified. Anonymity or not though, this is a spectacular, substantial piece and you can wear it either as a necklace or dis-attach the pendant to enjoy it as a brooch. Measuring 23 5/8" long (wearable) the chain enjoys the pendant's additional 3 5/8" drop. The pin/brooch itse...

Sigi Pineda rings don't come up very often and I am very happy to present here an example out of his "boomerang" line. Fashioned in the so-called by pass style, this is a slick, mod piece, its two wings adorned with bezel set turquoise cabs. Fantastic patina and excellent vintage condition make this an absolute must-have for collectors of Mexican jewelry and lovers of mod design alike. Relatively adjustable (upwards, I would suggest), the ring is now a sz 6 and its face measures just above 1" by...

Impressive, having the distinct "ethnic" character that characterizes this genre of vintage Mexican jewelry, a set of articulated earrings by Rivera in emulation of Matilde Poulat's jeweled creations. Beading, wire work, amethysts and turquoise set in channels and bezels combine to make this truly regal set. Dating in the pre-1948 period (I believe Rivera's early pieces to be among the best alternatives to Matl's own work) the set is signed with maker's name as well as "HECHO EN MEXICO 925". In ...