We are all familiar with Isidro Pina's Maricela book-piece brooches or his fabulous pin and earrings sets but how many times do we actually bump into a necklace bearing that signature? So you understand how thrilled I am to be presenting the necklace at hand - an absolute surrpise and breath-taking at that. But for its delicately elegant proportions, I would have expected this to be an Antonio piece or signed by one of the other modernists in Taxco...

Early and rather rare - in all the years that I have been involved with vintage Mexican silver jewelry I have not seen another one like it - this is a bracelet with a big "wow" factor. Wide, with beautiful cut-out designs, its links are constructed in the shadow-box style which adds a dramatic sense of depth to the bracelet. Beautiful amethyst cabochons, twist-rope wire decoration and a pin closure complete the Deco marvel...

Housing a massive green stone, which I believe is chrysoprase, the early 20th c. Chinese bracelet presented here has a vermeil finish over the silver filigree that has darkened beautifully over the years. The stone in this piece is so big and its contour so interestingly irregular that the central link holding it had to be accordingly shaped! Around it there is a profusion of stylized "Shu" characters, bats, clouds and eternity knots executed in purple and blue enamels...

If you love those massive, really heavy 1930s charm bracelets that bring to mind bikers' jewelry then this piece is for you! Especially since it is accompanied by a carefully cut-out old Panamanian coin featuring the profile of Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the Spanish conquistador who first settled Panama. I believe this is a 1934 "Un Balboa" coin which was minted out of .900 silver and the detail on it is exquisite...

Early and spectacular Mexican Deco bracelet consisting of three curved links with beaded and wirework ornamentation on oxidized silver platforms. This is a classic "warrior" piece yet its proportions take it above and beyond most examples of this genre. Held held in place with big, hand-wrought prongs the "warriors" are simply incredible... The bracelet has an inner circumference of 7 1/2" (clasped) and it is 2" wide. The jade carvings are approx. 1 3/8" square and at least 1/4" thick...

Stunning early Mexican silver bracelet, this is one of my favorite, iconic Deco designs with a massiveness that never fails to impress me. Hand-cut out of thick silver sheet the specific example is deeply chased and oxidized to add depth and dimension to the curved links. Measuring 7" long (wearable; its inner circumference is 7 1/2" but one has to leave allowance for the big hook clasp) it is 1 1/2" wide and weighs a generous 94.2 grams...

Towering sterling silver Matl ring with pyramid-cut amethysts in Matilde's iconic Maltese cross design. I haven't found an Eagle stamp on this piece so I believe it's a pre-1948 example. Classic and irresistible, I like this version with amethysts only; it's more discrete, in a way, and not as folky as the rings that have corals and turquoise too. The ring is a size 8.5 and its face has a diameter of 1 1/16"; when worn, it rises approx. 9/16" above the finger...

Classic Matilde Poulat bejeweled brooch in a stylized butterfly motif with dangles. Encrusted with amethyst, turquoise and coral gems this is an iconic Matl design - timeless and visually powerful in an earthy, primordial way. The brooch measures 2 1/4" tall (including the dangles) by 1 13/16" wide. It weighs 13.9 grams and is signed with both Matilde's and Salas's names. Dating around 1960 and in excellent vintage condition.

I love the idea of combination pin/pendants - they make for such versatile jewelry and can prove a mainstay in a lady's jewelry box. And when they come with the signature of Matilde Poulat, especially an early one, it is very difficult to resist them! Like the big, impressive example here, in one of Matilde's signature designs studded with coral and turquoise...

Old Taxco necklace made of almost pure, 980 silver in a pre-Colombian motif studded with dark, molded glass cabochons. Its links are cast and embellished with hand-chasing and "dimpled dots" at either end. Very elegant and eye-catching without being overwhelming, a classy piece for ladies who appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of early Taxco jewelry but are not used to wearing overly bold jewelry themselves. The necklace is 17 1/2" long by 7/8" wide (at its widest) and weighs 55.1 grams...

Much easier to wear than regular bangles, hinged two-part bracelets are fun and versatile since they lend themselves to combinations with similar pieces and allow you to create a different look each time you put them on. Spanning the Deco and mod periods of Mexican jewelry design, the assortment presented here is crafted of alloys that begin with your standard sterling and go up to almost pure, 990 silver...

Easily recognized as a signature creation by one of Taxco's foremost designers, the "comma" parure's popularity and impressive lines prompted several of Pineda's contemporaries to make their own versions available in the market. The necklace presented here is one such example. Quite daring repousse adds depth to the links and the silver sheet used is of medium thickness which results in a necklace pleasantly heavy yet still comfortable to wear...