Every now and again, I will bump into a piece of Mexican jewelry incorporating an ancient artifact. Be that clay masks, carved little effigies or beads, they are always a treat and a source of great excitement. And when that piece is also signed by one of the big Taxco workshops, like the bracelet at hand, then it’s a real holiday! Out of their “mixed metals” line, this Los Castillo silver, brass and copper hinged bracelet is literally built around an amazing, silky smooth agate bead...

A fine 18K yellow gold Sputnik ring by H Stern. The dome is bezel-set with nineteen round citrines, amethysts, pink and green tourmalines, garnets and aquamarines. This design was created in the 1950s to highlight the range of colored gemstones available from Stern’s Brazilian mines. It came to be called “Sputnik” because of its resemblance to the spike Soviet satellite launched in 1957...

A wonderful vintage 14K gold acrostic charm using the first letters of each of the gemstones ( Diamond/Emerald/Amethyst/Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire/Topaz) to spell out the secret message “Dearest”. Acrostic jewelry first appeared in the 18th century and remained popular, though somewhat uncommon, throughout the Victorian era. The gold is enhanced with bright-cut engraving a pattern like that seen on sundials...

A wonderfully crafted brooch of 18K & 24K gold with a central carved piece of coral by Miyé Matsukata who had Atelier Janiyé in Boston.

This brooch measures 2 7/8" long and 1 1/4" high. Marked Janiyé,18K and 24K on the back. The coral is held in place with four delicate prongs. Has a rollover safety clasp that holds securely. Beautiful condition, coral is a deep salmon color with glimmers of cream...

A rare pair of sterling silver bean-back cufflinks, the faces with very detailed images of a Native American in profile. The Indian's long hair is woven with feathers and the edges of the cufflinks are decorated with stalks of corn. These latter details are very much in the Art Nouveau taste. The backs of the cufflinks are marked "Sterling." Both Unger and Kerr made an Indian design with a full-face image...

Henry Steig modernist sterling silver tie bar

1950

2 1/2" long x 1/2" wide

Weight - 15 grams

Marked Henry Steig, sterling

Very good vintage condition

Two classical satyr masks peer out from the sides of this Art Nouveau watch fob pendant. Each snarling face is surrounded by whiplash curls of gold that rise to the top of the fob. The bottom surface is engraved with a period “JEM” monogram. The gold surface has soft matte bloomed texture characteristic of the period. The jump ring is original...

A sensational heavy gold plate collar/necklace with matching bracelet, all set with faux stones. The gold has a vibrant Florentine finish and both necklace and bracelet are strung on a metal chain. Unmarked - perhaps a Les Bernard creation. The collar measures approximately 15", the bracelet 7".

This fabulous vintage Mexican Bracelet has a stunning design similar to the work of Antonio Pineda - it's signed with the initials AP but they differ from the more common Pineda hallmark and we're not sure who the artist is. It's a massive piece measuring 7" long, 1" wide and is quite heavy at 115.5 grams. Early style pin closure. No damage noted, just some light wear and tarnish and the Amethyst stones have the typical inclusions. A fantastic bracelet that any collector will love.

This mid-century chili pepper bracelet is the work of Salvador Teran. Teran worked with William Spratling at Taller de Las Delicias before leaving with his cousins, the Castillo brothers, in 1939 to work with them at their new taller, "Los Castillo." Considered by many to be a genius at designing, Salvador worked at Los Castillo for many years before establishing his own taller "La India Bonita" in 1952...

Elegant vermeil brooch from the 1940s. Large crystal stone and clear pave rhinestones. 2 1/2" by 1 3/4" approximately.

A very lovable pair of Love Birds is this exceptionally well executed 18Kt yellow gold broach from the 1960s. The pair of bird is perched on a branch facing each other. The different textures of gold, the fifty-three great quality full cut pave set diamonds, two natural rubies for the eyes and some enamel accents on the beaks makes the birds so adorable. The approximate total weight of all diamonds is 1.10Ct...

A vintage modernist silver necklace with a large central pendant by the master sculptor and artist from Ecuador, Oswaldo Guayasamin. The central pendant measures 2 3/4" long and 3/4" wide. Also measures 3/4" deep. The pendant has a textured front surface and polished sides and back. The pendant has an additional silver squiggle with what looks like onyx beads suspended in front of the textured surface. It moves independently.

The entire central piece is suspended from a linked neck ring...

This large deep blue lapis stone is enhance with the gold speckles running diagonally across its center. The irregular form is set in a copper frame with leaves and scrolls to add interest. The pendant is a vintage delight, versatile, and bold.

Condition is very good to excellent with minor oxidation on the top loop.

Dimensions
Height: 3 1/4 inches - total height
Width
1 1/2 inches

The abstract and intricate design of this ring completely captures 1950s Modernist design. Stamped 585, which indicates 14K gold. However, I am unable to test this ring and am selling it as unknown material. It appears to be sterling, sterling plate, or white gold plate. The pearl appears to be cultured. Size 6.5.

Description: base metal, enameling. The chain at the bottom of the pendant has a heart that says "I love U". The arms and legs move up and down when the "I Love U" pendant is pulled. Quite unique and collectible, too!

It has a round pendant bail on top of Raggedy Ann's head allowing a chain to loop through.

Dimensions: 3" long (including the chain with the dangling heart) x 1q 1/.2" wide.

Maker: Hattie Carnegie with copyright symbol

A handsome pair of Art Deco 14K yellow gold double-sided cufflinks, each face enhanced with “quilted” engraving studded with round brilliant cut diamonds and sapphires. Cufflinks in this design are often marked “Tiffany & Co.” They were made by one of the Newark jewelers such as Larter for retail at Tiffany’s New York store. They always have generous weight and use high-quality gemstones...

Composed of filigreed sterling silver panels, this bracelet is reminiscent of Chinese wirework, but it is American-made. The back of one panel is marked Jordan, for the R.M. Jordan Co. of Providence, RI, which produced a line of Russian- and Chinese-inspired jewelry during World War II, called its “United Nations” line. (A short write-up on p. 53 in the Sept. 18, 1943, issue of Billboard magazine announces the release of this production line.) The bracelet is marked 925 on the original sprin...