Catalog: Archives: Estate Jewelry (467)

Easy to wear, very comfortable Los Castillo Mozaico Azteca bracelet. I love the way the curved links hug the wrist and, of course, the beauty of the colors in the stone inlay. The bracelet measures a wearable 6 3/4" long (clasped) and it is 11/16" wide (at its widest). It weighs 70.1 grams and is signed with the taller's name, "MOZAICO AZTECA" and des. no 230 alongside a badly stamped Eagle 15 assay mark and "STERLING MADE IN MEXICO"...

A trained painter and sculptor, Enrique Ledesma became one of the foremost modernist designers in Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance. Many of his pieces were sold through Plateria Cortes and the brooch presented here is just such an example. Generous in size, it combines oxidation and overlay with deep chasing on heavy gauge silver sheet and epitomizes Ledesma's sense of fluidity and abstraction in the best possible way...

Early and rather rare - in all the years that I have been involved with vintage Mexican silver jewelry I have not seen another one like it - this is a bracelet with a big "wow" factor. Wide, with beautiful cut-out designs, its links are constructed in the shadow-box style which adds a dramatic sense of depth to the bracelet. Beautiful amethyst cabochons, twist-rope wire decoration and a pin closure complete the Deco marvel...

Italian-born Gulielmo Cini arrived in the States when he was 17 years old and in 1922, started creating jewelry based on Classical and Renaissance Revival themes in Boston, MA. His pieces are considered among the best American examples and are sought after and enjoyed to our day...

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)...

Gorgeous vintage pair of Georg Jensen dangle earrings in a repousse leaf and berry design designated as no 32A on their back. Sculpturality, exquisite patina and the unparalleled crispness in the design's execution transform the pair into a veritable miniature work of art. The earrings measure 1 1/2" long by 3/4" wide and the set weighs 9.2 grams. Both pieces are signed on the back with Jensen's post-1945 hallmark as shown in addition to the design number and "STERLING DENMARK"...

A very rare piece to find, this long sterling necklace bears the signature of "La Azteca", about whom almost nothing was known until now - please refer to my blog at vintagemexicansilver...

Obviously inspired by a similar Antonio design, this mod Margarita bracelet is spectacularly massive. Its substantial concave links are alternated by ones that hold chunky amethyst cabochons set in bezels. The stones are gorgeous with interesting inclusions and the beading that separates the pairs adds that little extra pizzaz to the design. Wrought out of 980 silver the bracelet has an inner circumference of 6 5/8" (clasped) so it's perfect for smaller to medium wrists...

Margot de Taxco's zodiac charms are among collectors' favorites yet to find a complete charm bracelet, with both components bearing her signature is much more difficult than getting the charm alone. I am therefore thrilled to offer this hefty Aquarius example here. Just take a look at the gorgeous, generous sterling links - they provide the perfect accompaniment to show off the voluptuousness of the astrological sign's figural representation. And let me mention that the patina is to die for...

Stunning Deco Italian necklace wrought in 800 silver in the style of the Peruzzi and Coppini Bros, this piece features an elaborately cast pendant housing a huge faceted amethyst. Renaissance Revival in its orientation the pendant is adorned with putti and a bare-breasted mermaid while the chain has fruit and foliate links. Fantastic patina, very good casting and generous in proportions - an excellent example of the genre...

An early Los Castillo creation as indicated by the low design number, this is also a classic for the taller - repousse swirls accented by beads and riveted together to imitate the waves in a distant sea. The links' depressed areas are beautifully oxidized to intensify the design's depth and by construction the bracelet offers maximum comfort to its wearer. It measures 7 1/4" long (wearable) by 5/8" wide (at its widest) and weighs 39.9 grams. Signed with the taller's name as well as des...

One of my favorite designs of the so-called "archaeological" genre, I have seen similar pieces bearing Victoria's signature but this one is made by an artist who signs his name with initials "AE" in a heart-shaped "M". Though we don't know much about the specific maker, we do know that his work was appreciated enough by his colleagues that his signature can be found on jewelry by Rancho Alegre and Estela Popowski. Strong angularity, very careful silver overlay that is further accentuated by the ...

Based on the fact that Casa Maya reproduced several of Hubert Harmon's design in copper and brass, Sandy Hargrove in her book on the taller's work suggested that the company must have had the designer's permission to do so. Whatever the case, I would say we should be thankful for the co-operation since it makes it today possible for some of us to enjoy a well-made piece of jewelry or accessory in one of Harmon's quirky designs without having to pay the truly high prices his signed pieces comman...

The second figural Graziella Laffi brooch currently in my inventory (please also refer to Troc item #1090959) this piece is really impressive and quite unusual. I believe that here too we are dealing with the representation of an ancient Inca god, shown with snakes around his waist and in his headgear. The deity's garb is made of thick silver overlay to add dimension and depth to the design, both qualities intensified by oxidation and carefully hand-chased details. A real Laffi masterpiece and a...

An unusual form and at the same time a known Reveriano Castillo design, this lariat necklace dates in the 1950s and is simply gorgeous! Versatile since it can be worn in various configurations it consists of twisted, eight-shaped links and ends in repousse dangle tips, two on either side. It measures 32 3/4" long and weighs 49.3 grams. It is signed with des. no 36, a partially stamped Eagle assay mark as well as Reveriano's "R" within a "C" signature and "STERLING TAXCO" (due to lack of space a...

Having justly earned a place in the pantheon of those artists whose work changed the way we design and think about silver jewelry, Matilde Poulat created a whole school of silversmiths who emulated her work not only when she was alive and active but even today, in the so called "post-1980" period of Mexican jewelry making. Based on Matl's signature Palomas motif, this is a big, impressive, nicely made bracelet. Coral, amethyst and tiny turquoise beads stud the repousse and wire work ornam...

Fantastic sense of movement, great patina and two gorgeous pearls make this set of Antonio earrings immediately attract the eye! I love the pinwheel design - there is something festive and also "frenetic" about it that is, however, elegantly moderated with the classy touch of the pearls. The earrings are just above 1 1/4" in diameter and the set weighs 10.2 grams. It is signed with Antonio's crown mark though partial due to lack of space and an equally partial Eagle assay mark. Dating in the 19...

I love early Mexico City pieces for their bold repousse further enhanced with deep oxidation and etching and the strong, primeval earthiness of their design. Crafted by mostly anonymous maestros in Mexico's capital in the opening decades of the 20th c., they pre-date their Taxco counterparts and seem to be on the rise among vintage Mexican silver lovers. This bracelet is a great example of the style - and I have recently seen a brooch in this design bearing Matilde Poulat's signature. Note th...