Catalog: Archives: Estate Jewelry (468)

Superb 1960s sterling silver and enamel pendant with its original neck ring designed by Bjorn Sigurd Ostern for David Andersen...

Ultimately modernist in its approach to personal adornment, with Enrique Ledesma's signature perfection in the marriage of silver and stone, a necklace and earrings set with triangular links of sterling framing richly colored azur-malachite. Honesty of materials, craftsmanship of the highest level and immaculate finishing create a superb example of Taxco lapidary and silversmithing prowess. The necklace measures 15 3/4" long (wearable) by 5/8" wide while the clip-back earrings are 7/8" by 3/4"...

The primary designer for Rancho Alegre, Miguel Martinez is a maestro whose work I have come to value for its imaginative design, superb quality and extremely careful finishing. Monumental both in terms of its dimensions but also due to its weight, the cuff at hand is heavy, with thick overlay and oxidation that accentuates its architecturality. A true work of art that combines Taxco's early love for pre-Colombian motifs with Martinez's prowess in silver overlay...

Inspired by ancient Inca motifs this 1950s Industria Peruana silver and 18k yellow gold necklace is a classic example of the best jewelry that came out of Peru around the middle of the 20th c.. Hand-hammered sterling links feature figural appliques on their slightly concave faces, the same combination of silver and gold also used to form the circular connectors...

I promised yesterday that I had two more of those Sigi Pineda surrealist figures dangle earring sets to present and here is the second pair. There is something as endearing as it is quirky about the specific design line - I am not sure what Sigi was into when he created these - but I find them all weirdly irresistible. Overlay and oxidation are used here too to convey the human form, its hands crossed on the chest, turning a minimalist profile away from the onlooker...

A rare find to come upon a Hector Aguilar ring - there don't seem to be many available! Yet here it is, an "Old Maguey" piece that would go perfectly with the matching bracelet also currently available in my inventory (see listing no 1097654). Not as massive as the other pieces in the parure, the ring is an easy wear whether for a night out or for your every day in the office. It is currently a size 5.25 but easily re-sizeable, I believe, without fear of damaging the hallmarks...

A legendary name in the design and production of jewelry in this country, Napier has a long history that goes back into the 19th c.. The company's lines include both costume and sterling silver creations and their quality was such that jewelry with the Napier signature was worn by US beauty pageant queens as well as famous First Ladies. I am therefore thrilled to be able to present this very rare bracelet here. Crafted in sterling silver, its central figural link is comprised of three diff...

Beautifully rendered emulations of Margot de Taxco's koi fish earrings, this pair is signed by a maker who is known among collectors of vintage Mexican jewelry for his prowess in the art of repoussage and the high quality of his work. I think the point I am trying to make is amply illustrated by the bold repousse, the dark oxidation in the recesses of the design and the care that went into the finishing touches...

A really challenging piece to photograph - all those surfaces that curve and turn and face each other just won't behave! - yet equally impressive and inventive in its design, this bracelet is based on a creation by Antonio Pineda that seems quite difficult to find. Signed by an unidentified maker in our case, it has powerful presence, the "sharpness" of the links' pointy ends softened by the warm caramel and brown tones in the tortoise shell inlay...

Not a very prolific taller, ProSa is nevertheless a name that I look for and try to get their pieces for my inventory whenever possible. Their jewelry that I have seen are cast and usually very nicely defined and finished. And even though I wouldn't say that I associate them with big, in-your-face pieces, I was pleasantly surprised to find this delicate, romantic floral necklace bearing their name. Feminine and timeless, a ribbon of fuchsia flowers to hug the neck of a young lady this upc...

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"...

Gorgeous set of Margot de Taxco dangle earrings, I believe this design is rather difficult to find in this form and I am thrilled to present it here. Ovals, curves, spheres and domes all combine to create a delightful pair of teardrop treasures that measure 1 7/8" long by 3/4" wide. The earrings weigh 14.6 grams (for the set) and are fully and appropriately marked with Margot's signature, Eagle 16 assay mark and des. no 5740 (I believe; it's double stamped and difficult to read)...

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"...

A talented silversmith and good designer, Alfredo Villasana is known not only for his original pieces (which I truly appreciate for their imaginative design and perfect finishing) but for his high quality emulations of pieces that were first issued by the big talleres, usually of the Los Castillo and Margot de Taxco ones. I am not sure whether the fabulous pectoral I am presenting here comes up with either the Los Castillo or Margot signatures in the specific configuration of elements yet the...

Unadulterated commitment to minimalism - this is the statement this Antonio Pineda modernist bracelet makes. I have sold this specific design a couple of times in the past but its unpretentious beauty never fails to impress me. Wrought in the maestro's favorite .970 alloy, it has had a long, happy life and is now waiting for its next caretaker. It has a 6 3/4" inner circumference (clasped) with a width just shy of 1" wide and weighs a good 110.4 grams...

Wrought in .940 silver and with a big onyx cabochon forming its body, a vintage Hector Aguilar brooch in the shape of a pelican. The combination of repoussage and chasing and the stark contrast between the black depths of the stone and the warmly glowing silver is what makes this piece irresistibly attractive. Measuring 2 3/8" tall by 2 1/8" wide (at its widest) the bird weighs 23.1 grams and is signed with a combination of hallmarks that dates it in the 1953-62 period. In excellent vintage co...

Stupendous - literally - Francisco Rivera for Emma bracelet in an "archeological" design, this is a cuff fit for a warrior princess! Hefty, meticulously worked and perfectly finished, it exudes confidence and represents the epitome of the "statement" bracelet. It is tapered so as to better fit the lower arm / wrist and its inner circumference at mid-height is 6 1/2" (including the 1 1/4" gap; I have a 5 3/4" wrist and I can wear it pushed 1 3/4" above the wrist bone). The cuff's height reach...

A celebrated book piece Antonio Pineda's "crescent" design is a veritable feast for the eyes in its less-is-more combination of high purity silver and glistening black onyx. Undoubtedly a classic both when it comes to vintage Mexican modernist jewelry but also for Antonio collectors, the necklace's presence is powerful and attracts the eye in a way difficult to resist. The version presented here is my favorite - the links between the individual crescents are topped with a repousse semi-sphere. S...