This is only the second time I have ever had this incredible carved "mask" and sterling silver Mexican Deco pin / pendant and I am thrilled to have come upon another example after years of looking for it! One of the most enchanting "masks" from this period I have seen in terms of the lapidary skill it demonstrates, I call it euphemistically a "Medusa head" even though its theme is a little more gruesome than the severed head of a gorgon from ancient Greek mythology...

Awesome handmade sterling silver spring hinged cuff bracelet(c.1948-50's)designed and signed by Los Castillo. Pictured on page 85 of MEXICAN SILVER (all 4 editions) by Penny Morrill and Carole A. Berk. Great weight at 3.5 oz. or 99 grams. Measures a full 3 1/2 inches wide at the front tapering to 1 inch at the back hinge. Inside circumference 7 1/8" and can go larger because of stretch hinge design. Flowing repousse waves and beads in varying sizes. Fully backed...

Hector Aguilar's signed masterpiece, the "Maguey" is a coveted design for the most savvy collector. Big and bold with a 5.5in. span of the drop and a 1.75in. tall center on the drop. The wearable length is ascertained from the bottom round of this necklace as it is a true pectoral and cups outward on the top center. The wearable is approximately 17in. and the weight is 114 grams of almost pure silver. This Maguey is without damage, repairs or flaws...

This interesting, circa 1930's, dentist's kit was used to match size and shape of teeth to be replaced! The handsome black Bakelite case is in nice condition, containing many original sample teeth and sporting 9 drawers with oval metal labels. All drawers open smoothly except for the top one. Small unobtrusive right edge chips on 3 shelves fail to detract from this interesting dental collectible.

Measures 6.5"H x 7"W x 5"D and bears the label, "The Dentists’ Supply Co. of N.Y...

One of the legendary designs in the index of vintage Mexican silver jewelry, the "armadillo" can be found with both Hector Aguilar's signature and that of Manuel Altamirano's. It has been emulated by other maestros as well, less-celebrated and anonymous, yet the most important names associated with it are definitely the first two even though it was Valentin Vidauretta who created it...

Ethereal, barely touching the ground, light as a feather and lost in the music to which she is dancing, this vintage Marcel Boucher ballerina was crafted in the mid-1940s in Mexico for the renowned designer’s Parisina line. Wrought in sterling, she has a teardrop piece of lapis for her bodice and she is magnificent...

Offered for your enjoyment is an absolutely wonderful, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted, miniature, folk art dentist office display model from the 1950’s! The display has been artistically crafted and assembled of randomly selected materials and miscellaneous fabrics to create a miniature model of a dentist practicing his craft on a most distraught patient.

This imaginative work of art is best appreciated in person as it was difficult to photograph due to glare from both flash and natural sunligh...

Piedra y Plata was the name of Felipe Martinez's taller. He was known for his incredible stone work. He sourced gorgeous stones for his treasures he produced and I believe the stones here are Chrysocolla. They have natural matrix running through out. This bracelet is 7 inches long and 1 inch tall. The patina is rich and natural. With a weight of 50 grams of thick silver Martinez has produced a tasteful,streamline size full of details. There is no damage...

*****PRESENTLY ON EBAY # 153320326177*****

Offered is a very scarce pair of circa 1940's, glass, HOSPITAL signs acquired many years ago out of a New Jersey hospital that was undergoing modernization and renovation.

The glass X-RAY LAB + SPINAL CORRECTION signs once hung near the entryways of the X-ray and Physical Therapy departments and are now ready for your collection.

The signs measure 13 inches long x 3 inches high and are made of thick, heavy, plate glass construction...

These Fred Davis design marked MADE IN MEXICO SILVER earrings are very difficult to find today. The amethyst stones have no chips or cracks and the size is a large .75in. x.75in. overall dimensions. The weight is 17.5 grams. If you have an amethyst chevron Fred Davis you would be lucky to get this exact match for a set, however they do look fabulous with anything.

This is the type of Mexican Silver Renaissance necklace that you hope you will find at some point in your collection. Valentin Vidaurreta was a premier designer starting in 1931 designing for Frederick Davis and had a workshop in Mexico City...

A charming and intriguing bracelet by Japanese designer and jeweler Miye Matsukada (1922-1981). She worked from her store on Newbury St. in Boston from 1950 until her death. With obvious design influence from her country of origin, there are five circular charms each with an applied design of a flower. The reverse of each charm is signed Janiye Japan Sterling 950 and initials as well as a date inscription ranging in years from 1948-1962. Possibly each a gift to commemorate the birth of grandchil...

Something like this cut work does not come around often. Casa Prieto was known for it's quality. This is thick silver and cut into a gorgeous design of a flower with a cabochon of Mexican turquoise for it's center. Mexican turquoise is mined out and only available from old stock that someone has saved or pulled off other works of art. These stones are a mix of turned green with time to a light blue green. All have rock matrix with lines through out. None of the lines have separated or cut the s...

A peculiar Dhyangro, possibly from a young or a woman shaman H 60 cm , Handle 31cm More information on request

Impressive and rare this handmade pair of copper sconces was designed and signed circa 1940's by Taxco, Mexico artist Hector Aguilar (1905-86). Each sconce measures 11 1/4" tall X 9 3/4" across. Each holds 2 candles. Beautiful unpolished patina. Each signed HA TAXCO MEXICO. Excellent condition with one small pin head sized ding as shown. An example of this pair is pictured in a room setting on p. 228 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. A pair of single candl...

Great looking silver and amethyst cuff links by Antonio Pineda. Beautiful faceted amethysts make these 3 dimensional and provide a warm contrast to the silver. These measure 5/8" by 1/2" and are in fine original condition. They are signed with one of Antonio Pineda's earliest marks- Silver by Tono and the eagle. Spectacular cuff links.

This Los Castillo Mexican silver necklace is exceedingly rare. It is truly more like a sculpture with it's open 3D flower pod containing a round pea inside each. The tops of the leaves are deeply carved. Heavy and constructed with rivets to show off a weight of 120 grams. The link is 1 inch tall and 15.25 wearable inches in length. A very heavy extension is included that can take you to 17.5 inches long if desired. Showing an old hallmark for Los Castillo we can safely say that this floral examp...

Vintage sterling silver World War II bombardier wings pin designed (1940's) and hallmarked by Taxco, Mexico artist Hector Aguilar (1905-86). Measures 4 1/4 inches X 2 inches. Pictured in SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill p. 145. Signed HA, STERLING, MADE IN MEXICO, NATL SILVER CO. Beautiful vintage condition. Pin back and safety work perfectly.

Gorgeous, classic 1940's 2 strand sterling silver beads necklace designed and signed by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling. All original, the necklace measures 15" long. Fully hallmarked on the clasp which is tight and secure. Excellent vintage condition with no dents or dings in the beads. Spratling designs are a center piece of the 20th Century Mexican silver collection at Los Angeles County Museum of Art - LACMA.

Another master piece with the old linear hallmark of Los Castillo that was definitely designed by Margot Van Voorhies. The early design number indicates the beginnings of Los Castillo. The sweeping foliage moves with incised raised lines which show depth and quality. The necklace is heavy at a 160 grams which is supported with rivets. It has a very comfortable approximately 17 inches of wearable length. The presence is completed with a one inch height. No damage or repairs and an absolute joy t...

Hanakago (Ikebana flower basket). Irregular plaiting technique using bamboo and rattan. The artist's signature carved into the bottom appears to be in sousho (grass writing) for Ishikawa Shoun (among the greatest modern Japanese basket makers.) Object 2006.3.48 in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (the Lloyd Cotsen collection bequest - which we last had the pleasure of viewing in 2008) bears the very same signature in gyousho (traveling) form on a basket using the same plaiting technique wit...

Fred Davis properly hallmarked cylinder bracelet is 7.5in. long and weighs 73 grams heavy. It has a rich and stately presence being 1.5in. tall. No dents or damage of any kind as it has been well cared for. The shape of the cylinder gives it definition by sitting up on your arm. Many Fred Davis designs are represented in the books of Mexican Silver by Penny Morrill.

This set is the Hector Aguilar V-chain necklace with detachable azurite pin/pendant, matching azurite earrings, and matching V-chain bracelet. The necklace is featured on page 39 of the book SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill. It is shown with an amethyst pendant in the book. The azurite pendant on this necklace I am offering is shown on page 217 of this same book and the V-chain bracelet on page 63. These pieces are dated c.1945 and are in 940 silver. Ir is extremely rare to find a match...

One of the most interesting pieces by Los Castillo I have ever encountered - and in my experience a rarely surfacing cuff at that - I am thrilled to be presenting this bracelet here. Fusing copper and sterling silver, the cuff is a double-wide version of the taller's popular des. no 909. Yet in our case, the copper part makes for the repoussage-d face and is then seamlessly applied on the sterling background. Could this be an experimental piece or a custom-made version of the design? Either way,...

a great shamanic phurba, with exceptional carving H 29 cm More information on request

Spectacular, large, heavy sterling Mexican jade bracelet. C. 1940, this piece measures 7 1/2" end to end and is 1 1/4" wide. The stones are a fabulous green and the bracelet is in fine original condition.The push in clasp is invisible when closed. There is a safety clasp as well. Very solid, weighing 118 grams and signed Mexico Sterling. You will love this bracelet.

An exquisitely formed sometsuke porcelain by important Seto porcelain artist Kawamoto Rekitei (1894-1975) with raised patterns of grapes forming on the vine. The delicate shades of the steadily browning grape leaves is easily conveyed by the masters touch, each leaf carefully bordered in a raised border, the dark grapes slowly growing plump in the shadows. The vase is 9 inches (23 cm) tall, over 7 inches (18 cm) diameter. Rekitei was born in Aichi prefecture, home of Seto-yaki and a long stan...

A superb elephant shaped incense burner by Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seiji Zo Koro. Extreme clarity in the fine details, I will let the photos speak for themselves. It is 6 x 4 x 6 inches (15 x 10 x 15 cm) and in excellent condition. It comes with a pamphlet dated Showa 16 (1941) the last year of the artists life.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture, and graduated fr...

This rare, intricately detailed, hand wrought silver & shell orchid brooch was designed & signed in the 1940's by American & Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). Pin measures 3 3/4" long & 2 3/4" across. The three dimensional construction features 14 chocolate brown discs attached with silver rivets. Spratling designs were known to be inspired by the Mexican flora & fauna surrounding his home & taller in Taxco. Beautiful condition & patina. We have seen this piece only 3 times in o...

Stunning and bold this vintage handmade repousse sterling silver clamper cuff was designed and signed c.1940's by silver artists Los Ballesteros. This double serpent design fits up to a 6 3/4" wrist when closed, larger if it is worn spread. Front measures 3 1/2" from top to bottom and 1 1/4" at the back. The spring is tight and secure. Small opening on the seam where the silver backing meets the repousse. No dents or dings. Beautiful vintage condition. 65grams, 2.3oz. Ballesteros was a contempor...

Fred Davis works are coveted by collectors of the Mexican Silver Renaissance. This signed necklace is magnificent on and the condition is superb with no dents or damage. There is glare on the balls and the hallmark has evidence of some double strike. The weight is a hefty 143 grams heavy that speaks of it's quality. The 3 rows of beads are 1.25in. tall, 19in. long and with a wearable length of a very comfortable 17in. You will get noticed as the presence of this treasure commands attention, jus...

This is a magnificent heavy sterling necklace of intricate coiled links by Antonio Pineda. It measures 18" end to end and is 1/4" wide. It is solid, weighing 115 grams. The clasp is a silver ball and is signed with the early Antonio mark -- Silver By Tono and the eagle mark. This signature pre-dates the Antonio crown hallmark and these very early pieces are scarce. Fine original condition, gorgeous worn with anything. An important and rare Antonio Pineda necklace.

Featured on page 172 of the book MEXICAN SILVER by Morrill and Berk, this is the Female Dancers Bracelet by Los Castillo, c.1940-45. Very rare and exhibiting magnificent detail, it measures 7 1/2" end to end and is 1 3/4" wide. I am unsure if the clasp is original or perhaps a replacement although it has the same patina as the bracelet. Weighing 78 grams, the bracelet is in excellent condition. Signed and numbered as shown. A Mexican silver collectors dream.

Based in Mexico City Plateria FarFan made some truly exquisite pieces - I love their massive mesh-style bracelets and necklaces (please take a look at item nos 1074808 and 1090049 for representative examples currently in my inventory) as well as their heavy charm bracelets. What is presented here, however, is a stunning repousse creation that bears their name - exquisitely detailed; elaborate yet carefully executed design; and minimalist carved amethyst "masks" make this a stupendous bracelet. P...

Spratling used the jaguar in several designs including his iconic Double Jaguar necklace and his large brooches both in amethyst and tortoise. This unusual bracelet measures 7" long x 1 1/8" high and weighs 101 grams. Each of the hand hammered, curved discs carry an applied repousse jaguar with half dome ball. Beautiful vintage condition and patina. A three link version of this bracelet is pictured on p. 25 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. Also shown on G...

Spratling chose hand carved jade frogs interspersed with silver & turquoise frogs in this rare, imaginative & captivating 1940's design. Weighing 80 grams the bracelet measures 7 inches long X 3/4 inch wide. The multi-colored jade frogs stand 1/2 inch high. All in beautiful condition with excellent patina. Original safety chain removed by a previous owner. We will supply a contemporary safety chain if you wish. Most often seen in amethyst, this design is pictured in Spratling Silver: A Field Gu...

This is a FINE SILVER NATIVE AMERICAN ZUNI BELT BUCKLE. The Design is an EAGLE with Spread Wings. Beautifully Handcrafted with Inlaid OBSIDIAN, TURQUOISE, CORAL, and ABALONE. Additionally, the Sides are Chased with Geometric Designs. This Oval Buckle measures 3" X 4 1/4" and is marked on the back: BB. Appropriate Buckle Hardware in place on the back. Overall Condition is EXCELLENT with light normal use/ no abuse. Date this BUCKLE circa second 1/4 of the 20th Century, perhaps earlier. ...

We have today a Los Castillo vintage Mexican silver pectoral designed by Margot Van Voorhies. It bears the old linear hallmarks adding value as shown. It is a stand out pectoral that lays beautifully. There is a 17in. wearable length and has a drop 5 inches across and a 2.5 inch height. Hand made using the repousse technique with a quality weight of 124 grams. This is one of the finest examples from the Mexican Silver Renaissance. This treasure has a natural deep patina, just LOOK AT THAT NECKL...

An unbelievably gorgeous sterling necklace by noted Taxco silversmith Los Castillo. The ball on each link provides the hinge connecting one link to the other and they all move giving this necklace a fluid snakelike quality. It is wonderfully solid weighing an amazing 170 grams. It measures 16" long and 1 1/8" wide.The clasp is an invisible hook on the back of the link. It is in fine original condition and signed and numbered for Los Castillo as shown. The best Los Castillo necklace I have yet se...

Sterling silver & rosewood pin or brooch designed and signed circa 1942 by American and Taxco, Mexico designer William Spratling(1900-67). Pin measures 2" X 2 1/4". Wood and silver are in beautiful condition. Pinback and lock are tight and secure. Fully signed by Spratling on the reverse. Spratling designed this pin during WW2 to help raise funds for the Red Cross. He also used the clasped hands across the America's as the letter head on his personal stationary. The design is pictured and expl...

Salvador Teran, was one of the Spratling era's notable designers. This Star with a green and blue specks large stone is wondrous. Condition is superb with no dents to the tubes only camera glare. The length is 14.5in. and fits like a choker. This design is a published book piece. For more room a CUSTOM extender made from the same tube sterling is included and it is wearable lower on the neck at about 16in. comfortably. This Teran weighs a hefty 100 grams heavy. This stone is really the wow fact...

A detailed intaglio Laws Scottish family crest sterling silver seal ring from 1900-1930. This vintage size 7 ring features the family crest from the Laws family with a cockerel atop the shield and the quote from Horace (30 BCE) "COMPOSITUM JUS TASQUE ANIMI" which has various translations referring to justice, uprightness and nobility of the soul (one version states "A mind which respects alike the laws of mutual justice and of god"). It is a true seal ring, with the crest in reverse so it will ...

Jaganath shrine painting on cloth. Early-mid 20th c. 380 x 460 mm. Framed

A massive celebratory image of Tai (sea bream) by important 20th century artist Imai Keiju in superb mounting enclosed in a wooden box signed Gorei. These fish have attitude! Sea Bream are an auspicious image in Japan due to their name (Tai) which is a homonym with medetai (celebration). The pigment on silk image is framed in patterned brocades and features bone rollers. The scroll is 51-1/2 x 78 inches (130 x 199 cm). There are two white points on the silk where it appears the silk was onc...

Patino was known for quality early vintage Mexican silver jewelry. The repousse surrounds each hand carved stone like a well made picture frame. It's sweeping flourishes and expertly carved masquettes set this piece apart from others. There are no dents or chips to the stones (reflections are seen) and all the hinges are straight and sound. The width is 1.5 inches tall and the length is 7.5in. This repousse bracelet weighs 56 grams heavy. Truly a lovely piece.

This vintage 1950's turquoise & sterling silver necklace was designed & signed by Taxco, Mexico modernist Antonio Pineda (1919-2009). The necklace measures 16 1/2" long & 1 1/8" wide. Weight is 150 grams. The necklace is in exquisite condition. 12 oval cut turquoise stones are enhanced by the warmth of the silver's natural patina & accented with 22 turquoise cabs. The back third of the necklace is designed with 7 concave circles ending with the tight & secure circular clasp. Fully hallmarked on ...

Decorated with geometric motifs. W. 16 cm, H. 18 cm. Weight 300 gr. Great condition with nice age wear. Early to mid 20th century. Literature: ' Ethnic Jewellery from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, the René van der Star Collection' , page 115.

Beautiful pair of hand made solid copper and brass scroll candle sticks designed and signed (c.1940's) by Taxco, Mexico artist Hector Aguilar(1905-86). Each of the pair stands 8 inches high and 12 inches long. The pair hold a total of 6 candles. Excellent vintage condition and original unpolished patina with no dents, dings or repairs. Each signed HA TAXCO MEXICO on the undersides. Pictured in SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill and Carole Berk p.109 and on p. 120 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXI...

We are offering today a fantastic and truly rare Victoria pectoral necklace that has a 17in. wearable length with a weight of 117 grams. The repousse is thick and works it's way around like woody vines. The turquoise stones are original to the piece with a warmed teal color. It has Victoria's oldest hallmark and is number 61. Ana Maria Nunez de Brilanti named her taller Plateria Victoria and she was one of the earliest women of Taxco. Her work is represented in several of the books by PENNY MOR...

Mask combining a rough appearance with a minimal shape, the orifices of the eyes and mouth are rather square in shape, there are small ears on the sides. Beautiful black soot patina with traces of glue, very hard wood H 25 cm x 20 cm.

Playful and sophisticated this vintage sterling silver & rosewood or ebony cuff was designed and signed circa 1940's by Taxco, Mexico artist & designer William Spratling(1900-67). Bracelet measures 1 1/2" wide. The interior length from end to end is 5" with a 1 1/2" gap for a wearable length of 6 1/2 inches. Signed on the interior with Spratling's 1940's hallmark. The design is comprised of hand carved solid wood inlaid with 14 sterling silver dots of various sizes. Spectacular condition with n...

Occupation era original Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Kanetsuki Hall Bell Tower, Okayama" by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) dated in the lower left margin Showa 22 (1947). The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower left corner of the image. The 6mm circular seal of the publisher Watanabe (used 1946-1957) is at the lower right corner. Paper size: 15 1/2" x 10 1/4" (image size: 14 1/4" x just over 9 1/2"). Excellent condition. Never framed. There are two tiny pinholes...

Highly prized by vintage Mexican silver collectors, this 1940's abstract Spratling brooch is often referred to as jester or clown pin when viewed upside down. The "Tree" is 4 1/2" X 2 1/2" & weighs 68 grams. Heavily detailed with accents of either copper or bronze the piece is in excellent condition with gorgeous patina. Pictured in Cederwall's Spratling Silver Centennial edition p.156 & on Goddards' Spratlingsilver.com. An early 1938 version of this design is pictured on p. 214 of William Sprat...

Circular silver pin/pendant with triangles of azur malachite finished with a bead at each tip with removable original chain by William Spratling. This pin is pictured on page 48 of the new edition of the book MEXICAN SILVER by Morrill and Berk. According to the Spratlingsilver.com website, this was one of the last designs Spratling created for Spratling y Artesanos and this design was one of sixty Spratling agreed to provide the company after his resignation in July 1945. The pin measures 2 1/2"...

Based on a Salvador Teran design, the bracelet at hand is a great match to the Taller Taxco necklace also currently available in my inventory (please look for item no 1229490). Pre-Colombian motifs with a mod twist in their interpretation make for a visually stimulating and definitely different piece. The dangling charm which reflects the necklace's pendant is undoubtedly a strength and determination statement - don't you think? The bracelet is 7 7/8" long but I think it would wear more like a...

Composed of cast panels formed as stylized leaves and berries. Each panel is securely connected by soldered rings; there is some roughness to the work, but the bracelet is sturdy and its hook clasp in good working order. The hook is marked Parenti and there is a partially obscured sterling mark. The Parenti sisters emigrated to the U.S. from Italy, producing quality sterling silver jewelry here from the 1930s through the 1950s. The bracelet measures 6 ¾ inches long and ½ inch wide. Weight: 25....

A decorative vintage garden gate with scrollwork cut-out designs. Circa 1940s. Unpainted pine. Size: 38.5 inches ht. x 32 inches wide.

Offered on consignment..... Offered on consignment... Circa 1930's, this is a spectacular bracelet with the highly coveted and seldom seen "Moth" design which Matilde Poulat is known for. This piece, no doubt produced in Mexico City, is hallmarked with a very early "Made in Mexico Sterling". Entirely hand-wrought with superb repoussé silver work, it's an intricately detailed bracelet. At the center of the moth is an oval green stone. There are a total of seven panels which are connecte...

Measuring approximately 12 inches in height, these vintage plastic dolls were offered as Aunt Jemima Company premiums in 1949! Purchase price was 25 cents each plus 3 box tops from any Aunt Jemima product! They were sold as cutouts for the buyer to sew together and then stuff as desired.

This pair was machine stitched and lightly stuffed with cotton batting. Aunt Jemima holds a stack of her famous pancakes while Uncle Mose politely holds his top hat in his hands.

Both dolls retain their v...

Gerardo Lopez is one of my favorite Taxco maestros. I believe his talent and workmanship to have been of the same caliber as that of his more famous contemporaries and I am always on the look out for his jewelry. Based on his work, I believe that he must have worked for at least the Los Castillo and/or Margot de Taxco and his prowess in the art of repoussage supports the hypothesis. But he didn't limit himself to the more "straightforward" kind of silversmithing - I have had enameled pieces by h...