The primary designer for Plateria Rancho Alegre, Miguel Martinez created some of the most beautiful jewelry available in Taxco at the time. There is something primordially powerful about his jewelry and I think the door-knocker dangle earrings presented here illustrate in the best way what I am trying to say. I love the "fleshiness" of the design, , the attention to three-dimensionality in its execution and the perfect way by which glowing silver and oxidation are married together...

Description:
A Jianyang tea bowl was unusually-found in mustard-green glaze.
It was in evert form.
Greasy feel condition was yielded on the surface when dark-tinted body clay was revealed at the bottom.
The bowl was preserved in perfect condition.
It was very rare to find a Jianyang tea bowl in green glaze which was caused most likely by transformation of firing temperature.

Date: Southern Song Dynasty,1127-1279.

Width: 12.5cm...

Decorated on both sides with saints or immortals in enamel colors. H.7 cm. Condition: a 5 mm almost invisible (glaze) crack right above the handle of the censer that one of the saints is resting on. Expected age wear.

Decorated with floral patterns in lustre and blue glaze. Place of origin is probably Malaga. Diameter: 32 cm. Condition: several chips and a 20 cm. hairline. The hole to hang the plate is original.

Two Chinese blue and white reticulated "linglong" tea bowls, from the Hatcher shipwreck, dating from circa 1643. Each painted with five roundels enclosing different landscapes in underglaze blue, flanked by pierced cash motif walls. Standing on a short footrim, the base is unglazed and with a red "Hatcher Collection" label. Condition: fine, one bowl with a minimal tiny rim chip. Dimension: diameter: 9.1 cm, 4.9 cm and 5.1 cm high.

A late Qing ladies skirt in a striking color combination with two marvellous embroidered panels with butterflies and flowers. H. 100 cm, W. 110 cm. Age wear two the black borders and wear and stains on the inside of the skirt. The purple silk and the embroidery is in perfect condition.

A rather rare name to come up, this is the first Abel J. piece I have ever seen and handled. The maker is listed yet other than hallmarks and the fact that we know their name, I was not able to find anything more about them. Yet the necklace at hand is a piece whose imaginative design and gorgeous material combination should warrant some notoriety for its creator...

Matching the big brooch in the same design that I presented a few days ago (please refer to item no 1204747), this set of dangle earrings is showy, fun and a pleasure to wear. The horses look almost cartoonish and have acquired a wonderful patina over time. Each earring measures 1 3/4" long and the diameter of the dangle is 1 5/16". The set's weight comes up to 16.5 grams and it is signed with Eagle 22 (one of Davis's assay numbers)...

A fritware tile of octagonal form, painted underglaze in blue, green, yellow, red-brown and black, depicting a young man in Safavid court dress and turban holding some flowers. With metal suspension bracket. Provenance: from an old Swiss collection. Condition: restored, tile was broken in several parts. Dimension: 17.3 cm x 16.5 x 2 cm, weight: 702 g.

Large vintage sterling silver belt buckle designed and signed by master artisan Frank Patania Sr.(1900-64). Buckle measure 4"X 2 1/2" and will accommodate a two inch wide strap. Weighs 2.3oz or 64 grams. Beautiful condition with no dents or dings. Great patina. Pataina opened his THUNDERBIRD SHOP in Santa Fe in 1927. Fully hallmarked on the back FP STERLING with the THUNDERBIRD logo.

Robert Charles Gruppe (American, born 1944) - Trout Stream (Vermont). Oil on canvas. Circa 2000+ Size: 25 inches x 30 inches. Signed in lower right. Excellent, like new condition, offered in a carved plein air silver leaf frame. This painting was acquired directly from the artist. An autumnal landscape painting of a trout stream painted by Robert Gruppe while traveling in Vermont...

Dennis Sheehan (American, b.1950) - Winter Sunset landscape painting. Oil on canvas. Circa: early 2000s. Size: 9 inches x 14 inches. Signed in lower left. Excellent condition and offered in a carved, gilt wood plein air frame. Dennis Sheehan is a contemporary painter of landscapes whose work is inspired by George Inness and other 19th century tonalists. His paintings are in many public and private collections, including the White House...

This is an old Los Ballesteros bracelet that is made heavy and thick. The condition is like new with no dents or problems of any kind. The wearable diameter is 2.25in. The piece is domed and measures 1 3/8th's inches wide tapering to .75in. in the back. It weighs a luxurious 99 grams heavy. This bracelet was very difficult to photograph because of the reflective shine of the silver.

We have here a lovely example of Mexican silver repousse by the Maestro Pichardo. It is 4.5 inches tall and weighs 78 grams heavy. No dents and a tight spring. The diameter is 2.5in. which is a great size for a push up to work on a keyboard.

An early Los Castillo creation as indicated by the low design number, this is also a classic for the taller - repousse swirls accented by beads and riveted together to imitate the waves in a distant sea. The links' depressed areas are beautifully oxidized to intensify the design's depth and by construction the bracelet offers maximum comfort to its wearer. It measures 7 1/4" long (wearable) by 5/8" wide (at its widest) and weighs 39.9 grams. Signed with the taller's name as well as des...

I have seen this brooch years ago with Fred Davis's signature and was a little surprised at the almost cartoon-like design at the time so the memory stayed with me since. And when I recently came upon the demi of brooch and earrings (you can see both pieces in the next to last photo), I held my breath - only to find Eagle 22 yet no FD initials on the back of the pieces. Unfortunately, Davis is famous for not being as meticulous as Spratling in having all his jewelry marked with his signature.....

Highly desirable by 20th century Mexican silver collectors this 940 sterling silver bracelet often referred to as the "paperclip" was designed and signed by Taxco, Mexico silver Maestro Hector Aguilar (1905-86)...

The Louis Vuitton 'cube' is the rarest and most desirable in their line of trunks. Circa 1900-1920. Size: 26 inches wide x 25 inches deep x 25 inches high. This example is one of the earlier versions of the Louis Vuitton cube with a low production serial number (see photos) and with metal corner bands rather than leather. The interior retains both lift-out trays as well as the original manufacturer's label. Condition: exterior has some scuffs, cracks and chips to the fabric and one of the m...

A mid size marble scholar's screen with the original marble intact. Floral leaf design painted with a gold lacquered finish. Size: H. 34.3cm. W. 24.2cm. Condition: No repairs.

An ancient panel relief depicting Buddha and Bodhisattva gathered around him. The sculpture is deeply carved from a single block of schist. Measuring 24 x 13 x 3 cm. in antique condition. Such schist friezes such as this were some the walls of Buddhist shrines, together making up large story panels telling tales from the Buddha's life. These stories would have been read, either casually or ceremonially by Monks and lay Buddhists alike. So-called Gandharan Sculpture was produced in parts of mo...

A good Japanese studio porcelain celadon censer (after Chinese Song dynasty examples), of kinuta color, by Suwa Sozan. Seal impressed on the bottom between the three legs with unglazed feet. With an even more extraordinary, finely worked silver cover with gilt highlights (eyes, beak, comb, feather details, hollyhock blossom stamens.) The treatment and the details of the hollyhock leaves down to the veining and insect nibbles is sublime. The exquisite detailing of the hairs on the Hoo-oo no Tori'...

Probably dating in the mid-1950s, a rare form to find with Miguel Martinez's signature this lariat necklace is the perfect accessory for hot summer days. Its double-weave chain is light enough to feel comfortable yet eye-catching at the same time, especially with the three-dimensional "bell flower" dangles marking its two ends. The lariat measures 30" in total length while the dangles are 15/16" by 5/8". Weighing 19.9 grams, the necklace is fully signed with Miguel's signature as well as "STERLI...

A good Japanese studio porcelain vase with decoration of egrets among lotuses. The egrets in no-outline, reverse out decoration against gradient blue background. The beaks and particularly the eyes (with yellow fill) picked out nicely in fine detail with black. The loti also with no outline and contrasting nicely against the fading blue. The foot with three iron spurs spaced evenly along the unglazed ring foot and an errant iron smudge near one under the glaze inside the foot. Curiously, no mark...

Vintage sterling silver and rosewood pate or cheese board and matching knife designed and signed (circa 1950's) by American and Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling(1900-67). The board measures 8" X 6 1/4" X 1/2" high and is banded on all four sides with inset diagonal silver bands. The matching rosewood knife measures 7 1/4" long and is also inset with silver bands. Each piece is hallmarked WS TAXCO MEXICO WILLIAM SPRATLING 925. The knife carries the eagle 30 hallmark as well. Both the board ...

A beautiful original Nels Hagerup oil painting of a sail boat off the coast of San Francisco ocean beach. In excellent all original condition canvas size measuring 18x24 inches in the original antique frame. A fine example of this noted artists work.

biography

Nels Hagerup (1864-1922) was born in Christiania, Norway in 1864 into a family that included the composer Edward Hagerup Grieg. Nels Hagerup studied at the Christiania Art School, Royal Academy in Berlin, and in Copenhagen with C...

Feminine figures dive upwards, forming the handles on this large art-deco vase by Nakajima Yasumi II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Jundo Eikan Kabin. The vase is 13 inches (32.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition. Inside the box lid is an inscription stating it was given to commemorate the first run of a three year old thoroughbred Arabian Stallion at the Amagasaki Race course in 1958.
The name of Nakajima first came to notice in 1908, when the first generation Yasu...

A three colour 10k gold hinged oval bangle bangle. This vintage bracelet measures 2-3/8" x 1-7/8" across the interior and it is 3/16" wide. It has a box clasp with a safety loop and it weighs 11.8 grams. It is stamped KMS and 10 on the tang and it is in excellent condition with no dents, bends, corrosion, losses, damage or repairs. All items are thoroughly and conservatively graded and all condition issues are noted; all items are vintage or antique and may have slight signs of gentle use. ...

Of black Belgian marble, this modernist sculpture by Lily Ente was created in 1954 and is entitled "Head". It was deaccessioned from the Chrysler Museum of Art in 1991 and his been in private collections since that time. Measuring 11 1/2" x 13 1/2" x 5 1/4", it is of triangular shape and depicts an abstracted head, with varying surfaces of polished marble that reflect the light and create slight shadows, making an intriguing and evocative form. Interesting from every angle, it demonstrates th...

A creamy-beige colored crouching chimera. Open-mouthed and with head tilted upward, the details are nicely carved. There are some rusty-brown colored inclusions from long burial. Period: Song (960-1279D) Size: H = 1-1/2", Length = 2-1/2" Condition: Very good

Tiffany Studios Indian pattern patinated bronze desk set consisting of a ink well letter holder stamp box and blotter paper ends. In all original excellent condition beautiful Tiffany quality excellent brown with green highlights patina. A fine set would be a nice addition to any collection.

When hunting Mexican silver you will run into gorgeous, repousse clampers signed EDP. His work is meticulous and is done in heavy silver. The "complection" of the work shows some of the puffy texture that repousse displayed at this early time period. This piece is 3in. tall and has a wearable diameter of 2.75in. The weight is 56 grams heavy. This bracelet feels heavy in the hand as does all the pieces signed EDP. Many clampers are much taller and this one is sized more compact being easy to pus...

This is a change of pace from 16in. necklaces. The Quetzalcoatl necklace is super long at an overall length of 28.75in. with the drop being 3.75in. tall and 3in. across. The silver is hand carved into 980 silver and it is silky soft to the touch. You can see the work marks on the back of this very early piece. This weighs a remarkable 128 grams heavy and the silver is 3.5mm thick. This has such presence to wear alone or add other silver with it for even a greater effect. 980 Taxco signed with co...

I LOVE this signed Los Castillo bracelet! It has to be a Margot design while married to Antonio Castillo. The design number is an early one being #228. The almost 2 inch clasp is the crowning touch to the 7mm beads of 3 strands. Fitting nicely with a bit of a drape to the hang it has a 7.75in. wearable length. There is some patina showing on the beads that may make it look as though the bead is cracked but it is not. The barrels for the closure pin follow the line of the large silver clasp and t...

Rare sterling silver bracelet designed and signed circa 1950's by Taxco, Mexico modernist artist Antonio Pineda. Bracelet measures 7 inches long and 1 inch wide and weighs 100 grams or 3.5 oz. Fully hallmarked with Antonio's crown, TAXCO 970 & Sterling and eagle. Beautiful vintage condition with no dents, dings or repairs. Antonio designs are included in the permanent 20th century Mexican silver collection at LACMA in L.A.

Part of Margot de Taxco's astrology series, an adorable sterling silver pin for the daring Virgo - gorgeous casting, fantastic patina and a fluid nudity turn this little piece into a small work of art. I could not exaggerate its three-dimensional quality even if I wanted to. Its beguiling curves and the uninterrupted sense of movement in the maiden's body and hair is phenomenal. The brooch measures 1 3/4" tall by 1 1/8" wide and weighs 5.5 grams. It is signed with Margot's circular signature, ...

First we hear the clang of the hammer striking the bell, then the steadily approaching clop of his wooden shoes before the horrifying creature dressed in the robes of an itinerant priest appears; a ledger in one hand noting our sins. Hanging from a chord around his shoulders is an umbrella, testifying to his constant state of movement. A spectacular carving of an Oni-no-Nenbutsu praying Demon taken from burled cedar. This is a powerful image, the face expertly carved to strike fear into the h...