One of the classiest and most classic Mexican Deco jewelry designs, the "shield" necklace is associated with the names of Fred Davis and Abraham Paz but has also been made by other, contemporary maestros both anonymous and "less celebrated". Our sterling and dyed green calcite example belongs in the latter group but, as I have pointed out many times in the past, its "anonymity" does not take away at all from its craftsmanship and good looks...

My second M Velazquez silver brooch for the day, this Mexican Deco repousse "portrait" I have never had (nor, I believe, seen) before. As opposed to the first figural pin, here the "sitter" is shown in profile, his likeness set in a raised frame against a stippled background. Velazquez's repoussage can be very dramatic and in the piece at hand it is also enhanced by deep chasing and oxidation which brings out the sculpturality of the face and the impressive headdress...

Dating in the first period of the Los Ballesteros workshop but after their 1941 move from Iguala to Taxco, this combination pin / pendant is an "archaeologically inspired" piece. A multitude of techniques come together in the creation of the figural scene that dominates here. Azur malachite inlay provides the canvas within which the combined copper and silver praying (?) figure is laid in...

Circa 1930's - 1940's, this early Mexican necklace is an absolute work of art. Signed and hallmarked "Ingrid's Silver". Ingrid's was a shop which retailed silver and hollowware from various silversmiths, among them Jorge "Chato" Castillo. This necklace pulls out all the stops. It's a fabulous modernist/deco design, composed of alternating cylinders of amethyst and sterling silver. The center silver cylinder measures 1 13/16" x 7/8", with a depth of 5/8". The silver panels graduate in size...

This hand-wrought Mexican necklace dates to pre-1948,

It's an exquisite piece with highly detailed silver work, and it looks beautiful on. Measuring 36" in length, the two sides can clip together about 4" from each end.

Signed and hallmarked on the bottom of each ball "S.D. Hecho en Mexico 0.925".

Weight is 80.5 grams.

In excellent vintage condition.

An iconic motif in the index of Mexican Deco jewelry design, “masks” can be found carved in stone, molded in glass, created in inlay or enamel but also en repoussage like in the brooch presented here. Made by maestro Barrera in Mexico City most probably, its workmanship follows that city’s school of repousse jewelry of which Matilde Poulat is the most renowned creator...

Circa early 1940's, the Lyre necklace is an iconic design from Hector Aguilar. Shown on p. 30 of Silver Masters of Mexico, it's a necklace which drapes beautifully on the neck with a substantial presence. Measures 15 3/4" end to end. Weight is 131.2 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the conjoined HA, Taxco, and 940. In excellent vintage condition.

With hallmarks dating 1940-1944, this necklace is an iconic piece from William Spratling's 1st design period.

It's very rare to see this design complete with the original five strand tubular silver necklace, and it is collector quality. The large amethyst cabochon measures 1 1/4" in diameter, and is a gorgeous stone with natural inclusions and quartz marbling...

One of my favorite “less celebrated” early Mexican maestros, AEM (or AE Heart as he is also referred to because of the way he signs his work) had his workshop in Mexico City and he created some really nice pieces. It has been a long time since I presented something by him but this set of “mesh and bead” dangle earrings more than compensates for the gap...

One of my favorite "less celebrated" maestros whose jewelry, however, has been experiencing a constant rise in appreciation among collectors, A. Tobias was a contemporary of Matilde Poulat's and I believe he was probably also working in Mexico City. His creations caught my attention several years ago for their characteristic "Mexico City style" repoussage and their beautiful craftsmanship...

This striking sterling silver & azurite or chrysocolla "North Star" necklace was designed & signed circa 1949 by American and Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). The pendant measures 2 1/4" X 2 1/4". The elongated link chain measures 16 1/2". Weight 60 grams. Beautiful condition & patina. Signed on reverse WS 925. Each of the four points of the pendant are planed creating dimension. This design is pictured on p. 63 of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill and Carole Berk...

Circa pre-1948, this tour-de-force cuff bracelet is the work of Silver Corpus Artisans of Mexico.

I know this mark to be associated with Doris Silver, although this piece is not marked as such.

Quite possibly one of a kind, this is an amazing cuff with superb silver work. Measuring 4" tall, the design has koi fish with bubbles coming out of their mouths, amidst huge waves.

Should fit up to a 7" wrist...

CROSS 500.00 NECKLACE 250.00 We have a Los Castillo, huge 3in. long cross weighing 37 grams. The silver is thick and layered to achieve more dimension. The condition is excellent with no damage...

Possibly the most "surrealist" early Mexican Deco "mask" brooch I have ever had, this piece is the source of so many questions for me. What is it exactly that it depicts with its "portrait" surrounded by an elaborate headdress, the two arms emanating right from its top with no actual body present? And what is the "mask" itself made of? It registers as a stone in my gem-tester but I am not sure if it is onyx or a different type of opaque, black stone. I find myself in one of those instances in wh...

Circa 1940-1945, this pin was produced by Los Castillo. It's an early piece which was designed by Margot van Voorhies Carr / Margot de Taxco. This is a superbly crafted piece, showing a koi fish swimming atop a blue glass stone which is filled with bubbles. Exquisitely detailed with wonderful repoussé silver work, it's a gorgeous showpiece. Measures 3 3/8" x 2". Weight is 29.8 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Made in Mexico", with the design # 514. In exc...

Circa 1940-1945, this early Los Castillo necklace is a very rare design with the centerpiece. Collector quality. Twenty-six winged repoussé links with a center floral panel make this a standout necklace. Likely a Margot de Taxco / Margot van Voorhies Carr creation, as Margot was married to Antonio Castillo during the early years of Los Castillo, and designed for them. Measures a closed, wearable length of 17 1/2". The winged panels are 1 3/8" wide. Centerpiece measures 2 1/8" x 1 3/16". ...

This rare and beautiful bracelet by the famous Matilde Poulat features two silver repousse Doves at the center set with Turquoise, Coral and Amethyst stones with side links set with small Turquoise. Measures 7" long by 2" wide at the front and weighs 78.1 grams. Early hallmark of MATL in script with Hecho en Mexico, 0.925. It has not been polished and shows age related tarnish. A superb bracelet and a rare find.

Superbly crafted, profusely decorated and visually powerful this early Mexico City repousse figural brooch is an a rather rare example of vermeil silver jewelry from the country's 20th c. Silver Renaissance. I will admit that I am not particularly fond of vermeil - I love the look and feel of aged silver without "enhancements" that make it look like something it is actually not. Yet there are those very very scarce moments when a piece like this shows up and it makes me reconsider. Worn after ye...