Catalog: Archives: Estate Jewelry (468)

Stupendous Rivera sterling silver necklace in emulation of Matilde Poulat's bejeweled jewelry, this is an early piece, very well made and an excellent alternative for all of us who either can't find a Matl or shy away from the prices her creations command. Constructed of two-part, articulated links the necklace sits like a dream around the neck and feels royal...

Vintage Sigi Pineda Mexican silver cuff bracelet in a classic and difficult to find Taxco mod design featuring a wavy ribbon appliqué rendered more sculptural by Sigi's masterful use of oxidation. A stunning bracelet and an ode to modernist minimalism which, when done right, can create sublime jewelry it has an inner circumference of 6 7/8" (including the 1 1/4" gap) with its width varying between 1 1/2" and 3/4"...

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...

Signed by Gerardo Lopez, an accomplished early Taxco maestro whose repousse jewelry is steadily growing in popularity, a big, showy sterling brooch featuring a splendidly ornate bird of paradise. I could hardly exaggerate the attention to detail and flawless finishing in Lopez's work - here the oxidation and the patina developed over time accentuate the sculpturality of the design. Measuring a generous 3 1/4" tall by 2 5/8" wide the brooch weighs 22.7 grams...

Very much in the early style of Fred Davis, a vintage Deco Taxco necklace wrought in almost pure, 980 silver. This is a classy, substantial piece with its shield form links made out of silver sheet with good thickness and adorned with applied repousse semi-spheres, etching and bezel set amethyst cabochons. A true Mexican beauty, 16 1/4" long (wearable; easily lengthened with the addition of a sterling extension which I can provide upon request) by 1" wide, weighing a good 95.6 grams...

A scarcely surfacing Sigi Pineda necklace and earrings set, here the renowned Taxco modernist combines in the perfect way his skills as a silversmith with his aptitude in mozaic inlay. In this set, sea blue turquoise and what if often referred to as "blue jeans" sodalite are combined in a freely flowing, elaborate knot to create the necklace. Mirroring the links in the necklace's chain, the earrings are set in oval sterling frames, one with turquoise and the other with sodalite inlay...

Koi fish is a motif automatically associated with Margot de Taxco in Mexican silver jewelry - the Grande Dame's love for Japanese art provided inspiration for many of her designs and those who either worked with her or simply emulated her creations helped the influence live on even after she stopped being active. The bracelet at hand is a rare find - not only because it's not repousse but consists of links carefully cut out of thick silver sheet but also because the fish are inlaid with shimm...

One of the best repousse figural brooches I have had over the years this is an early, stunning bird studded with blue and greenish blue turquoise cabochons. The repoussage is definitely the work of somebody who mastered the art - bold, deep, with excellent detail that has been accentuated with time by warmly glowing patina. If you have to portray a peacock, it better look like this one here! The brooch measures 4 1/8" tall by 1 7/8" wide (at its widest)...

Charm bracelets were always popular but even more so in the 1950s-60s, when they became all the rage with big film divas wearing and advertising them. Understandably, the Mexican talleres happily joined in the fun and created some spectacular examples. This is the second piece in this specific design that I have had over the years and I believe it is superb! Distinctly three-dimensional with its double row of domed silver links that catches the eye right away, and heavy enough to make itsel...

One of the sweetest early floral repousse Taxco necklaces, this piece is wrought in 980 silver and will come to you with its matching earrings. Deeply chased repousse, dramatically curving lines and excellent patina make for an eye-catching demi. The necklace measures 15 1/8" long (wearable) with its central tulip dangles part being 5 5/8" long by 1 5/8" tall. The width at the chain is 1/2" (at its widest). The earrings are accordingly 1/2" wide and 1 1/8" tall...

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...

Fabulous, very rare and rather early example of Danish silver jewelry signed by H. Saugmann Bjerregaard, active in Kjellerup in the years between 1921 and 1937. True to its period, the bracelet has an Egyptian Revival theme with its five panels showing Sphinxes holding carved, prong-set chrysoprase stones in them...

Vintage Los Castillo sterling silver repousse cuff bracelet in an early design that sends out a strong sense of movement and vitality -I love the deep oxidation that makes the swirls pop out even more and, of course, the unsurpassed craftsmanship and quality of the Los Castillo taller...

Matching the set of chubby hoop earrings also available in my inventory (please look for item no 1112606) this is a stunning Antonio Pineda modernist hinged bracelet. Very substantial but at the same time as minimalist as possible, a piece that hugs the wrist in an intimate, warm way. Measuring just shy of 7" in inner circumference, the bracelet is 1 1/8" wide and its thickness reaches 1/2"...

Alongside Sigi Pineda and Enrique Ledesma Erika Hult de Corral is one of my favorite modernist jewelry designers - her work is imaginative, never fails to surprise and and her genuine creativity results in unfailingly impressive pieces without having to resort to fussy design. Her creations do not come up very often yet she obviously has a rather loyal following that appreciates her aesthetic and seeks after her jewelry...

A superb example by my favorite "heart" artist, again inspired by Margot de Taxco's beloved koi fish designs this is a pair of earrings worthy of the best collection! One cannot fail to admire the confident, pronounced repoussage and the crispness in detail and finishing - both qualities that characterize the work of only the best maestros...

Matching the necklace of the same design that is also available at One Good Eye Silver, a divinely feminine, classic Margot de Taxco bracelet combining copper and silver. The specific combination is rather rare and it adds a certain warmth to the bracelet that reflects the fantastic patina both copper and silver have acquired over time. The bracelet is a wearable 7 3/8" long by 3/4" wide and weighs 32.3 grams. It is fully and appropriately signed with Margot de Taxco's name, des. no 5210 A (I ...

The most stunning example of Mozaico Azteca jewelry I have ever seen, this necklace is literally a dream-come-true! There is not one thing about it that I don't love; the color of the stones used is saturated and richly varied; the silver work is substantial - not a flimsy piece, that is for sure; and the way it hugs the neck and sits perfectly in place is beyond description. This is a true choker size necklace, ideal for smaller to medium sizes. Its wearable length is 14 3/4" and its width go...