One of the most energetic Taxco modernists, Sigi Pineda enjoyed a long, creative career. Prolific and ever “on the move”, he was at his best working within the confines of minimalist design. Sigi rarely used “unnecessary” ornamentation, depending more on fluidity of lines to imply motion, colored stones to impart texture, oxidation to add dimension to what are mostly flat surfaces in his jewelry. The floral brooch at hand provides a good illustration of the above...

A mid century modernist pendant reminiscent of the designs of American studio jewelers, Betty Cooke or Frances Holmes Boothby. This piece depicts three cut out birds on a round satin finished sterling disk.

The pendant measures 1 1/2" in diameter. Marked Sterling on the back. Has a little tarnish and a few minor surface scratches.

Suspended from a 19" sterling chain that has a secure spring clasp. Marked 925 on the clasp.

Striking design.

A sterling silver modernist bracelet with nine disks and offset orbs by Danish silversmith, Niels Erik (NE) From. This example is not signed. However it is the same design and measures exactly the same as a signed example. Not sure how that occurred. Priced accordingly.

Measures about 7 1/4" long and 5/8" wide.

Leaf shaped toggle clasp holds securely. The bracelet is in fine condition with a little tarnish.

Classic N E From design.

An inspired lapidary and an ingenious designer Felipe Martinez opened his workshop “Piedra y Plata” in 1950. His work is a testament to his exceptional talent and his commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and the use of choice materials. I love all his jewelry but I believe that he was at its best working within the confines of modernism which he enriched with references to Mexico’s archeological past...

A classic Mexican Deco jewelry design element silver repousse semi-spheres were used by well-known designers like Fred Davis and anonymous Taxco maestros alike. They come in all sizes and combinations, in all-silver or adorned with stones and glass, and they unfailingly make for stunning jewelry. In this hinged bangle bracelet they are clustered together in fours to create little florets with bezel-set amethyst centers. In the back, they are simply stacked in rows...

This pretty navette-shaped pin is from the Arts & Crafts era. It measures 2-1/8 x 7/16”. It has a leaf and berry motif, centered by a deep purple amethyst. (Amethysts are thought to bring calmness and clarity to the mind.) It is marked STERLING, and the pin-stem assembly is original. The silver has a nice patina. In excellent condition, and circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! We do lay-away...

Vintage sterling Georg Jensen pin no. 366 designed by Nanna Ditzel. This pin is not often seen and I love the simplicity of the design. Measuring 1 3/4" by 1 1/4" and weighing 18 grams, it is in fine original condition. Signed as shown. Elegant mid-century modern design.

Pair of high content silver, pre-owned, Turkmen forearm cuffs, with inset carnelians. Very heavy, these are 310 grams each or 620 grams total. Inner circumference sizes are: 17.2cm and 19cm on and 17.9m and 20cm on the other. These can be presumably be adjusted silversmith or someone with just a good grip!

Vintage Indian “paizbh”, girls chainmail anklet with leaf and flower shaped links, 125 grams, may be worn as a bracelet. Inner diameter 16cm. Good silver with screw in fastener.

This pretty and detailed pin might depict St. Catherine (patroness of young maidens and female scholars – we like her!). There is a wheel in the background (possibly a “Catherine Wheel,” but it could also just be a ship's wheel or a spinning wheel), and a flower in the foreground. Her clothing looks very Renaissance-era to us. Marked “SILVER” on the C-clasp, with an illegible maker’s mark, the metal tests as sterling, and she’s a dainty 7/8” in diameter. 2.5g...

William Spratling sterling and ebony necklace

Mexico

1930s

Wearable length - 16 1/2" long

Weight - 30 grams

Hallmarked

Very good vintage condition

A Mid Century Modern pendant in sterling silver by Kultaseppa Salovaara, Ky of Turku Finland with eight light blue faceted bezel set stones. The pendant has a curved bale which is part of the design for an interesting effect.

The pendant measures 2 1/8" high and 1 1/2" wide at the center. Currently suspended from a 17" sterling chain that has a secure spring clasp.

The pendant is marked with the polar bear mark for the maker and 925H...

I love zodiac jewelry and thankfully so did the old Mexican maestros! Yet over the years I have noticed that no matter what their form (rings, brooches or bracelets), they are being snatched up with increasing fervor. So saying that they are becoming more difficult to find would not be an understatement, especially for rings which are an already challenging area of collecting in the vintage Mexican jewelry world...

This interesting fob is the setting for a sterling coin. It is a Prussian 2 Mark coin. On one side is the face of Friedrich (presumably) and his wife, a Maltese cross, and the words “FRIEDRICH * I * 1701 * WILHELM * II * 1901”; on the other side is an eagle with a crown above, and “DEUTSCHES REICH 1901 ZWEI MARK”. The rest is white metal. The swivel clasp has a mark, which looks like a plow. We haven’t been able to track it down...

This is a spectacular vintage hand wrought sterling silver brooch by the well known Boston silversmith, Ella L. Cone. Looks like a surreal silhouette.

Measures 4 3/8" high and 1 5/8" at the widest. Roll over clasp holds securely. Marked Sterling, Hand ELC Made on the back. Has a little tarnish and minor surface scratches.

Reminds us of the surreal pieces by Paul Lobel and Ed Wiener.

Well made, fine quality. The best piece of jewelry by this artist that we have ever encountered.

So-called "chain mail" jewelry is not uncommon in the world of vintage Mexican silver. One can find them in all forms, with or without stones, and in all widths, signed by known maestros and by less-celebrated makers as well. There is something very slick about this design, its interwoven "mesh" inhabiting quite comfortably both the Art Deco and early modernist worlds. The necklace at hand is an example of the narrower versions but very well made and with good weight to it...

This heavily engraved silver pin is from the estate of Helen Aman, who escaped from Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution to settle in California. It was one of the jewels she brought with her from her childhood. It consists of a bell (with a clapper – but it doesn’t actually make any noise) dangling from an angled bar. Marked 84 for 875 silver, it also has a partial city mark, which we believe is for Moscow (which would make sense, given her history). It measures 1-3/8” x 7/8", and is in...

A sterling silver abstract brooch by the MCM jeweler and sculpter, Joseph Skinger, (1911-1967). He was active in Vermont in the 1950s and 60s, working primarily in silver. Known for his modernist 'Slalom' ring.

This brooch measures 2 1/8" long and 1" at the widest. Marked Sterling Skinger.

This could also be worn as a pendant with a chain or cord laced through the curled top as shown.

In fine condition. There is a very slight bend near the clasp, probably done during production. ...