Crafted in the late 1950s or in the 1960s, this sterling silver Mexican necklace is signed by Victoria or Ana Maria Nunez de Brilanti. Victoria is one of the few female designers and silversmiths of Taxco’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance that we know of and she is credited, among others, for perfecting the “metales casados” or “married metals” technique. In this necklace, however, she adds a modernist twist to an otherwise “archeological” design...

Hallmarks date this rarely seen Los Castillo necklace 1940-1945. Very likely a design created by Margot van Voorhies Carr (Margot de Taxco), who was married to Antonio Castillo during this time. Margot designed many of Los Castillo's early pieces. It's a gorgeous necklace with a beaded scalloped design, measuring 16 1/2" closed, wearable length. The centerpiece is 5" across. Weight is a hefty 104.5 grams...

I am partial to long chain necklaces - irrespective of origin and style I am attracted to them and love to wear them. Provided, of course, they are older… The thick twist-rope example offered here is, I believe, a US-made piece; the hallmark looks familiar, I know I have encountered it before but right now I just can’t identify the maker...