A classic book piece for William Spratling, the "tulip" brooch comes in several configurations and is carved out of various stones, the most usual being amethyst. Here the large bloom is set in a less frequently seen repousse frame that consists of deeply chased foliage and an overlaid curlicued tendril. I also love the color variations and depth in the pink quartz stone. Very architectural and quite impressive with a smoothness that makes you want to hold it.....

A truly monumental sterling silver bracelet from Peru, this pieces features intricate cut-outs, dramatic oxidation and figural appliques at the center of each link. The workmanship here is beautiful and the figures are crisp in detail standing out against their textured background. Extra wide at just above 2" the bracelet has an inner circumference of 7 1/8" (clasped) and it weighs 76.9 grams. It is simply marked "PERU 925", dates in the 1950s-60s and is in excellent vintage condition.

Stunning not only because of its width but also because of the glistening patina that accumulated over the years and makes the hand-hammered links capture the eye this is an unbelievable silver bracelet! Definitely in the Arts and Crafts style, it is a little difficult for me to date since it is not signed but its early pin clasp suggests it is indeed an early piece. A true masterpiece, obviously all hand-crafted, I wonder at the fact that its maker did not want to identify it as a persona...

Based on Margot de Taxco's and the Los Castillo's "Koi Fish" parures, a repousse by-pass ring from the 1950s-60s made by one of Taxco's still unidentified maestros. I admire these miniature masterpieces - they mimic the clamper bracelets of their respective designs yet with the small size, pose a real challenge to the silversmith who has to reproduce amazing detail in such small proportions. The ring here is currently a comfortable size 7.75 but can be adjusted upwards...

A middle period work by Los Castillo, I love the design of this bracelet because of the way its flowing loops and bead motif belies its substantial weight. There are some pieces of jewelry that wear like a second skin - and this is one of them. When it's around your wrist, you feel its presence in a warm, intimate way - yet it's also comfortable and conforms effortlessly to your every move...

Incredibly flexible because of the overlapping links it consists of and hence so comfortable to wear, this is an early Deco bracelet based on a pre-Colombian motif. I recently sold a similar necklace and said then that I think the specific design can also be found with Aguilar's signature but in fact this is a Spratling design. The piece here with its swirled silver links and its repousse semi-spheres is simply marked "MEXICO STERLING" and dates in the 1930s-early 1940s...

What is there to be said about this Villasana clamper that a careful look at the photos won't reveal in the most detailed, decidedly direct and breath-taking way? Sometimes I just feel that a picture is indeed worth a thousand words... Undoubtedly one of Villasana's most ornate bracelets, this one betrays an almost Art Nouveau-ish influence with its elaborate repoussage flowing in all directions...

I always wanted to have one of these difficult to find, exceptionally gorgeous Alfredo Villasana clampers and I was thrilled when my patience finally paid out. I consider Villasana's clampers some of the best examples in the genre - his repoussage is confident and daring, masterfully executed and of good weight as well...

Having worked for both Spratling at the Taller de Las Delicias and for Emma Melendez Victor Jaimez also created impressive mod designs for Miguel Martinez. Offered here is a monumental example of his work that also bears Miguel's hallmark. Impressive not only because of its size but also because of the complexity of its abstract design, the pendant reminds me of bare tree branches as they reach for the dim sunlight of mid-winter. I appreciate the combination of techniques applied to make it...

A rare vintage Victoria double brooch or sweater guard, this set is superbly crafted and has imposing presence. The actual pins themselves are generous in size and carefully cut out of thick silver sheet with deeply chased details and bead accents. Each is centered by a proud repousse semi-sphere and they are connected with two lengths of the best-looking sterling chain I have seen on Mexican jewelry of this type...

A sweet example of Victoria's "mixed metals" jewelry in which she seamlessly combined copper with silver and some times also brass, this is a cuff bracelet from the line that the maestra named after her daughter, Cony. An elegant less-is-more bifurcated copper cuff with swirls at its ends gently holding sterling silver spheres between them - perfect for a younger lady and ideal to combine with other, similar pieces. The cuff has an inner circumference of 6 1/2" as is but it's easily adjustable...

Stunning Uno a Erre Italian 800 silver modernist bracelet designed by Gallopi, this is a true "chameleon" piece by construction. Its textured links consist of two pieces that together create a shadowbox effect. It seems that the underside of the front pieces is enameled (?) in different colors which then reflect on the mirror-like inner surface of each link. The result is fantastic and changes constantly according to how one views the bracelet and how the light hits the mirror-ed interior...