Catalog: Archives: Estate Jewelry (468)

A middle period work by Los Castillo, I love the design of this bracelet because of the way its flowing loops and bead motif belies its substantial weight. There are some pieces of jewelry that wear like a second skin - and this is one of them. When it's around your wrist, you feel its presence in a warm, intimate way - yet it's also comfortable and conforms effortlessly to your every move...

Big and impressive a vintage Deco Chinese silver bracelet with meticulous filigree and bezel set amethyst nuggets. Its links are adorned with bat and floral overlays and stylized Shu characters shoot out of the middle stone in the central link. The bracelet measures a wearable 7 1/2" long and its width varies between 2 1/8" and 3/4". It weighs 69.0 grams, is signed simply "SILVER" in early, raised letters and is in excellent vintage condition.

A fine example of Los Castillo craftsmanship and a design avidly sought-after by Mexican silver jewelry collectors this choker necklace combines the heftiness of a thickly braided chain with the curves of carefully crafted repousse semi-shperes. Elegant yet substantial, it bespeaks the maestros' incredible talent and design savvy. Excellent condition with no problems noted and a secure tongue-and-box clasp, it is signed "LOS CASTILLO" and "Sterling" and bears the Eagle 5 assay mark...

Heavy and rather rare Los Castillo sterling bracelet in a distinctly machine age style featuring three rows of thick, interlocking silver rings that create a very substantial mesh...

If there is an Amazon in your life, this is the perfect bracelet for her this upcoming holiday season! Unabashedly monumental, this is one of the most astounding early Mexican Deco pieces I have seen and it takes more than my 5' 4" to wear it! Incredible at 3 3/8" tall, this is an arm band more than a bracelet and a piece of wearable art at that...

Vintage Margot de Taxco sterling silver astrological pendant necklace, this one is for the Leo in your life and like all Margot's zodiac jewelry, sculptural and heavy. I have paired the pendant with a substantial, hand-wrought Mexican chain of the same period and the two look like they always belonged together. The pendant has a diameter of 1 9/18" (not including the bail) and adds a 2" drop to the chain which is itself 30" long (easily adjustable due to the hook clasp)...

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.....

I would never have thought that the necklace presented here was not made in the 1930s or 1940s - design, construction, even the way it is hallmarked point in that direction. Yet it is later as indicated by the maker's registration code - I think it must have been made around 1980. Heavy clusters of bead and tube dangles adorn the central part of the necklace creating an impressive sense of abundance and luxury...

I am very partial to this early, as evidenced by its design number, Los Castillo necklace because it was the first "big name" Mexican piece I ever acquired year ago. Its intricate knot and bead medallion with the teardrop dangle is so enchanting to look at - the circles and curlicues and spheres seem to be in a constant flux. The same sense of movement is mirrored in the links of the chain as they alternate facing opposite directions - just masterful...

In my opinion the best Mexican modernist designer, Salvador Teran was a maestro of many talents and created some of the most striking pieces of Taxco jewelry. Offered here is his signature "Moon and Star" bracelet, which aptly demonstrates his ability to create exceptional minimalist pieces. The bracelet has an inner circumference of 6 1/2" and is ideal for smaller to medium wrists. Its face is approx. 1 3/4" square and the width of the two "wings" tapers from 1" to 3/4"...

Spectacular early 20th c. Chinese bracelet wrought in silver with repousse prunus motifs floating over a three-part hinged frame. The large, scalloped central link is adorned with prong-set tumbled hard-stones and three carved ornaments; there is a coral prunus flower, what looks to my eyes like a bat (or could it be a butterfly?) and a half-moon turquoise...

Vintage Margot de Taxco Mexican silver necklace and earrings demi, this is a delicate, discretely feminine design and it's perfect for the hot days of summer. Extensive beading, a touch of oxidation, riveted links and a presence that though romantic is still visually strong characterize the set and make it one of my Margot favorites. The necklace measures 16 1/8" long (wearable) with the bow link being 2" wide by just shy of 7/8" tall (at its tallest) while the width at the chain is 3/16"...

Early Taxco necklace in emulation of Matilde Poulat’s “Mexico City” repousse, this piece is wrought in 980 silver and its beauty is beyond words. Intense “tribal” flair , deep patina, strong repousse and the splash of green added by the malachite cabs combine to create a necklace fit for pre-Colombian royalty. Measuring approx...

Fabulous pair of mod, space-age Mexican silver dangle earrings with azur-malachite inlay in the style of the Los Castillo "Mosaico Azteca" line. Just note the Saturn-like spheres at the end of the slick, long stems and the dimension that the inlaid band around them adds to the design. Spectacular and so unique! Each earring is 2 1/4" long and the diameter of the dangling sphere with the band around it is 3/4"...

One of my most favorite "less celebrated" maestros of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance, AEM is also referred to as "the Heart" artist because he signs his initials "AE" in a heart-shaped "M". Though we know that he had worked for Estela Popowski and Rancho Alegre, his identity remains elusive to this day. I am particularly fond of his repousse pieces, which are invariably of the highest quality, very often in designs that closely resemble Los Castillo or Margot de Taxco cr...

A gorgeous example of my favorite Ledesma work this is a pair of earrings that illustrates in the best possible way the maestro's magic touch in the seamless combination of silver and stone. Resembling highly stylized calla lilies, the earrings curve and curl to reach their pointy height. The color of the malachite is saturated and its polished surface just perfect. Each earrings is just shy of 1 1/4" tall by 3/4" wide (at its widest) and the set's weight registers at 11.8 grams. Fully signed w...

Miniature versions of the clamper bracelets in the corresponding designs by-pass or wrap rings are veritable miracles of craftsmanship and attention to detail as well as testimonials to their maker's patience and ability to concentrate. And even though I know all this, some examples still amaze me with their superb quality. Just like this ring - extra long, incredible in the richness of its design and the flawless execution, with its amazing patina and the strong presence that it commands! A rin...

Stunning studio sterling silver and pearl modernist ring bearing the signature of Bill and Patsy Roach (ROACH2), active since the 1960s with an impressive award-winning record and several of their designs in permanent museum collections in the US. Bill Roach was the son of renowned and well-written about modernist silversmith Ruth Roach and though he died suddenly in 1996, his wife Patsy continued creating and showing her jewelry. The ring presented here has a powerful presence and is adorned...