This vintage coat is incredibly beautiful and has no real flaws, worn areas, or tears. It may have had repairs in the past, but nothing is evident of that. The only thing that needs to be fixed is a missing eye for one of the hooks on the front. It was made in Germany at a furrier that had been in business since 1883. The label says, "Die Weltmarke, Pelzveredelung Seit 1883" and "Thorerprocess". It is really gorgeous and looks new because there is nothing wrong or flawed with it. It measures (lying flat) across back between shoulders = 19"; widest across is about 25"; from nape of neck to hem = 41"; and sleeves at 25" and are mid-arm depending on your build. The black is very black and the mink collar is shiny and full. It is an extraordinary coat and hard to believe the age from looking at it.

This is an extraordinary stylized ring artistically designed and produced with impeccable craftsmanship. With fine features of three-dimensional touches of tiny bars and topped by a dome of 14K gold, it is sure to gain comments and interest from those who appreciate style. It is marked, “Sterling” and what looks like it may be a “U” or “C”. It is a size 6. It is a narrow profile, so could be worn against another ring if you desire. I am placing it circa 1970’s. This is a lovely modernist piece.

This necklace is an eclectic combination of an African solid brass Naga Disc and a necklace from the 1950’s. The necklace is stunningly designed of long shaped tortoise beads interspersed with flat brass beads, small black beads, and solid brass tubular beads. Although the two pieces were not made together, they are a perfect marriage of sophisticated and primitive design and are an exquisite combination. The beaded necklace measure about 30” long and the Naga pendant is about 2-1/4” in diameter. The tortoise beads are Lucite plastic I believe. If you like classic and Avant garde, this is for you.

This large bow rhinestone brooch is one-of-a-kind and is absolutely the most brilliant, palatial, and magnificent piece of jewelry I have ever seen. It is definitely a statement piece because of its size and imposing brilliance. It measures 4” across and 3” tall at the widest points, and weighs 68.3 grams. This piece is from my own collection and is in perfect condition. It has been worn only once at a holiday party. It looks gorgeous on black and most would wear it at the crowning spotlight of a beautiful, understated outfit. This brooch is not for the faint-of-heart but should be worn and appreciated by one who is not afraid of being in the limelight.

This cuff bracelet was made by jeweler and metalsmith, Linda Summers. Much of her work is mixed metals and this one has a somewhat "industrial" look to it. It is soldered, but also has tiny rivets that are functional and aesthetic. The bracelet is 1-1/2" at the widest point and is 7" around with an opening between.The metal is extremely malleable allowing for different size wrists.

This is a great example of Taxco silver artistry by Juan Sandoval Vazquez. His mark, TS-79 is noted by Mexican silver experts and authors, Penny Morrill and Carol Berk, in their book, Mexican Silver. The design on this piece has a distinct Pre-Columbian style and symbology. It also is very similar to a VOO and Ledesma design. The motif relates an Aztec or Mayan headdress in a stylized, graphic sense, achieving great dimension by layering various cutwork silver pieces. The piece can be worn as either a pendant or brooch and has a bail and roll clasp on the back. The craftsmanship on this stunning piece is quite skilled and the design is a very creative rendition of historical themes. In addition to the cutwork, there are silver balls punctuating the design in several places, as well as on three hanging pendants at the bottom. It measures 2” across and the main piece is 1-1/4 tall, and including the pendants, it measures 2” tall. It weighs 26.3 grams. The numbering system replaced the Eagle assay system in 1948, so this piece is post 1948. It is striking and bold and is in good vintage condition with typical wear shown on a piece this old. This is definitely a stellar collection piece.

This distinctly elegant brooch was made by one of the Mexican silver masters, Serafin Moctezuma. He was known as a very skilled artist as seen in the impeccable execution of this brooch. This exquisite piece is a lyrical shape of leaves and a bezel-set amethyst stone. It very 3-dimensional because the leaves and stems undulate and swirl on several planes. The leaves are incised at the bottom of the brooch and pierced or cut out on the top leaf, lending interest and contrast to the design. The absence of the Eagle Assay mark dates this piece is circa 1930's-1940's. It measures 2-3/4" on the longest dimension and is 1-1/2" at the widest point. It weighs 13.7 grams. It is marked, "Hecho en Mexico, 925" in a circle with "SM" in the center and "Taxco" outside the circle. This is the mark of Serafin Moctezuma, a contemporary of William Spratling. The silversmiths of this era in Taxco were known for their unequalled design and craftsmanship. Their worked became sought-after all over the world and brought fame to the tiny village of Taxco. Most of these masters are no longer living, so their work is even more collectible. The roll clasp is secure and works well. It is very striking and is obviously quite old, but is in excellent vintage condition with no visible damage at all. This is a highly collectible piece.

This unusual and elegant brooch was made by one of the Mexican silver masters who worked for Estela Popowski and signed his pieces, “AE” inside a heart-shaped “M”. Popowski’s taller was in Mexico City, beginning about the early-mid 1950’s. This design has also been done by Ana Nunez Brilianti, "Victoria". The design of this piece is a beautiful flower and leaves, with the leaves folded over part of the flower – a very striking design. The center has 6 small silver balls denoting the stamen of the flower. It addition to the, maker’s mark, it marked “Sterling Mexico”. The brooch measures 1-9/16” long x 1-3/8” wide, and weighs 10.8 grams. The artist who crafted this was very skilled because the piece is impeccably executed. It was cut from silver sheet and incised with detail of the flower. The center balls and the clasp were soldered in place. It is in excellent vintage condition with no visible damage, and the clasp works perfectly. This is a highly collectible piece.

The cross is seen in many varieties and versions in the Americas, but the Yalalag Cross is one of the most ornate and legendary. The Yalalag Cross comes from San Juan Yalalag, Sierra de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico and its basic design predates the Conquest. It consists of a central cross with three lesser crosses hanging from the main cross. The decorative elements in the design can be geometric, which is usually Indian – or with wings, hearts, and flowers, which is more Christian symbology. A cross with two arms in the upper half is called a Patriarchal Cross. This Yalalag silver cross has an amethyst cabochon bezel-set in the center and surrounded by curled wire and highly decorative flowerettes. This motif continues throughout the large cross and to the lesser crosses and even the ornate bail. The three lesser crosses are missing their tiny hanging pieces at the bottom, but it is still a fabulous piece of jewelry history and art. It was hand wrought entirely by a Mexican silver artisan. It measures 3-3/4” tall x 2-1/4” wide at the widest point, and weighs 16.1 grams. It is marked, "Mexico", and predates the Eagle Assay mark making it circa 193o's'40's. Although it doesn't say, it is sterling. This is a rare and beautiful cross to add to your collection..

This strand is a beautifully aged and is a exemplary example of African pipestone beads. They also have several types of old silver hollow beads that intersect at several places to make this necklace exquisite. It is at least 1960 or before. The center silver bead is about 5/8” in diameter and all the others are varied in size. The strand is 24” long with a hook and eye clasp, and has stretched a little from age, but can be tightened at the clasp. This is a treasure for someone who appreciates old ethnic artwork.

This beautiful bypass ring is beautifully crafted and reminds me of the work of Los Castillo or Margot de Taxco, who worked for Los Castillo. Some of the silverwork that came from the Los Castillo studio bore the distinct style of Margot. This piece reminds me of one of those. It appears to be circa 1940’s. It is 1-3/4” long on the top and the width of the design is about 3/4”. It measures about a size 6, but can be enlarged to a size 7. The old maestros of Mexico left a legacy of fine silver artistry and craftsmanship behind as this ring, but unfortunately, much of the history of these old pieces is not captured because during this time. Much of the silver works were sold by weight, with little credit given to the artist and his or her accomplished craft. However, this one is marked by the artist “rs 925” in the center of a circle marked, “sterling, taxco mexico”. This artist is noted in Billie Hougart's book, “The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks”, (2006 edition). It is a beautiful design and is very well-crafted. There is no damage and it is in excellent vintage condition.

This vintage Mexican silver ring has a beautiful fan-shaped or fluted pattern. It is simple, yet elegant and looks beautiful on. The hallmarks are, "CF", which is a silversmith mentioned in Bille Hougart's book, The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks. It is approximately a size 5-1/2-6. Although it looks very heavy, it weighs 12.2 grams and is very comfortable on. Dome-type rings are difficult to size eactly, and typically have a slight range of size because of the hollow area under the dome. This piece was cast in the lost wax method as seen by the ridges and texture of the inside of the dome. I would date it to the '60's for its style and wear. It has the typical wear of a vintage piece. It is in excellent condition and only has small scratches. It would be something you will want to wear often!