Copper Giant Link Abstract Design Bracelet-1950's-'60's This vintage bracelet is such a large scale that no one can miss it. It has three huge links with a raised abstract that looks like a “tornado” design on each one. It’s very shiny and a captivating design for someone who is not afraid to wear striking, fashionable pieces that are always noticed. It measures about 7-1/2” wearable length with each link measuring 2”X2”. It fits a smaller wrist because there isn’t much curve to it. It is in very good vintage condition with no visible flaws. The clasp works fine with a tiny bit on wear showing on the outside. It is not marked.

This old silver pendant is highly decorative and intriguing. Made by hand by tribal artists in this country in western Asia. This piece was originally made to go with several matching beads, strung as a bridal necklace. The starshot design is one of three prominent patterns used by Yemen Jewish silversmiths in the early 1900s. These artisans were were always conscientious about preserving wealth of his bridal customer because she would depend on her cache of silver should her husband be unable to provide for her. The surface is adorned with silver wire and raised designs and displays a rich grey and black patina with the raised silver design peeking through. This pendant also has a maker’s mark next to the ring that holds the small dangling balls. The cartouche is pressed into molten silver. The chain is 21” long and the large bead is about 1-1/2” in diameter. This is a treasure for someone who appreciates very old tribal arts.

This is a beautiful little box with a Venetian "mile fiori’’ micro mosaic top. This was formed by arranging sections of different colors of glass cane side by side, and binding them together by heat. The outside surface is heavily repoussed with a floral pattern. The metal appears to be brass. This belonged to my grandmother and is really a precious little antique. It measures 1” wide X 1-3/8” long and is 5/8” deep. The hinge works fine and the pin has been replaced.

The combination of copper and silver provide an electrifying backdrop for the blue stones in this demi-parure. The brooch is very ornate with decoration around the edge and covering the back. The center is silver reminiscent of lace with the blue square-cut stone in the middle. The earrings compliment the brooch although they are not exactly the same patterns, they look very much like it and are also decorated on the backs.These are from my own collection. The earrings are clips. The brooch measures 2”X5/8” with a rolling clasp. The earrings are 1” tall X ¾” wide at the widest point. The three pieces are in excellent condition and look stunning together.

This vintage Kazakh silver Asyk Heart pendant is representative of those that are given to the Turkoman women as dowry gifts and worn as a symbol of marriage and fertility. The surface of this pendant is adorned with perfectly formed spirals and tiny circles made of silver wire. The edge also was wire that was flattened to create a texture. In the center is a bezel-set agate and there is still some gilt showing on the surface. This is a very fine historical piece in good vintage condition. The pendant measures 2-5/8” tall X 1-3/4” wide at the widest point. Like other nomadic tribes of Central Asia, the Kazakh’s were of Turco-Mongolian heritage. Their nomadic travels brought them to Iran, China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Iraq, and elsewhere. There are Kazakhs living in Turkmenistan and Turkmen in Tajikistan, and there is often a mingled influence of cultures in jewelry design and function.

These sterling silver earrings are large and showy and were made by a Mexican silversmith sometime in the late ‘70’s-‘80’s. They are sculptural and dramatic and weigh 24.8 grams. They are marked, “925, TO-40, Mexico”. TO-40 is for Taxco artist Judith Cuervo Ortiz. They are worn with the pointed end down and measure2-3/4” tip-to-tip and are almost 1” wide at the widest point. The design is bold and they are definitely a statement piece.

This little pin shows a dancing monkey and other symbols. This dancing monkey or "Chuen", is a familiar theme in Mayan artifacts and Mexican jewelry. Chuen is the name for the Monkey Day Glyph in the Mayan calendar. This symbol is associated with master artisan, master craftsman, imaginative, mischievous, gaining wisdom through curiosity. William Spratling, the father of Taxco silver artistry, and other designers used it often. Although it is small, it is a really fine piece of inlay work. The face is matt-finished silver with the monkey cut out revealing the black material underneath. It may be plastic. It also has other bits of copper and turquoise that show through the cut out shapes. The back is also matt finished silver that has tiny rivets securing it to the black material. It is magnificently crafted to perfection, and was entirely fabricated by hand. It is marked, “Sterling, 925, Mexico” in the shape of a triangle. The maker’s mark, “AMI”, is inside the triangle, and what looks like a crown is below the triangle. “AMI” is referred to in Bille Hougart’s, The Little Book Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks”. It measures 1-3/4” x 1-1/8” x 1/8” thick, and weighs 7.5 grams. This lovely piece is in excellent vintage condition. It would be a great gift.

This ring has a very contemporary vibe, but is more likely from the 1950’s. It has 5 raised bands around the shank that begin wider at the stone, tapering to smaller at the base of the ring. Each of the band is square-cut and raised with textured depressions in between. The center is graced by an onyx elliptical-shaped, bezel-set, cabochon stone. The only marking is “925” with no makers mark. It has the look of very old Taxco, Mexican work, but I cannot be sure. It is in excellent vintage condition. It has been sized at one time, but looks fine.

This necklace is very primitive in style as it was made by tribal peoples many years ago. I don't know the age precisely, but it must be about 40 yrs. old., maybe older. It is about 24" long with silver beads interspersed between the pipestone. It is something that looks well with other beads and chains to have a layered effect. It is in good condition and the clasp is a simple hook and eye.

This antique bracelet and earrings are made in the traditional Mexican "coffee bean" style with green half moon stones. The coffee bean style is made from silver domes that have been mashed in the center with a narrow tool. This sterling bracelet has 8 links, with alternating stones set in silver with rows of small silver balls, and the coffee bean "flower" motif in between. It has a pair of matching earrings that are screw backs. The bracelet is marked, "Taxco, 925" and the earrings, "silver, Mexico". They are most likely from the 1940's because of the markings and the typical wear. I'm not sure of the stone, but think it could be Lucite or some other synthetic material used in that era. This is a very nice set and the clasp on the bracelet works well.

These vintage earrings are the work of Marjorie Baer, jewelry designer, who has made a name by designing unusual mixtures of metals in intriguing powerful designs. She reuses some objects to combine in ways that have an “industrial” feel. She started designing when she finished school at UC Berkley, went to New York, and sold her first pieces on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum. She is based in San Francisco and signs her work, “Baer SF”. The intriguing thing about these earrings is the stair step levels that give the pieces a look of an ancient pyramid. They are very 3-dimensional because of the way she has handled the “steps” in the brass. They measure 1” square and are in very good vintage condition, but could use a good cleaning if you like them very shiny. These are clip ons.

This interesting necklace was crafted by someone from a Kuchi nomadic tribe in the Middle Eastern area of the Shomali Plain in Afghanistan. The name Kuchi is translated from the Persian work for camper. The Kuchi have continued to remain a migratory tribe. These bejeweled and brightly colored robed people are known for their very lavish and ornate jewelry and embroidery work which require many hours to create. The necklace is a little over 20” long with the decorative lapis and beads occupying about 4-5”. The dangles hang down about two inches and there are 9 bezel-set lapis lazuli with tiny wire rope at the base. The rest of the necklace is silver beads, most likely coin silver with a simple hook and eye clasp. This is a beautiful, unusual and striking necklace.