Catalog (156)

This striking design was created by Taxco, Mexico modernist Antonio Pineda in the 1950's. 20 brilliant tigers eye stones are set into 970 sterling frames. Silver rods tipped with beautifully matched pearls & 2 with silver are interspersed. The central element measures 3 3/4" across & 2 3/4" long at the center. The silver tipped velvet cord measures 29" long. Weighing 70 grams the necklace is in exquisite condition.

Spratling was known to have a large collection of Pre-Columbian Mayan & Olmec objects. He designed this necklace using hand wrought sterling silver beads, coral beads & hand carved obsidian Olmec figures most likely acquired from locals in the surrounding areas of Taxco, Mexico. The wearable length of the necklace is 16 inches and weighs 32 grams. Each carved image is unique and about 1/2" high. The necklace is in excellent condition. Clasp is tight & secure. A similar Spratling necklace with Pre-Columbian obsidian duckbills is shown on p.145 of DREAMING IN SILVER by Penny Morrill. Dr. Morrill discusses how Spratling incorporated Pre-Columbian pieces into his designs in gold & silver in the 1950's on page 151.

When Frederick W. Davis (1880-1961) designed this most unusual necklace he likely chose this ancient hand carved stone from his Pre-Columbian collection. The wearable length of the necklace is 20 inches. The pendant including cascabeles is 2 3/4" X 2". The small jade mask looks to be from the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan. When the artist placed the jade mask in onyx, he may have carved it to replicate the large ear adornments and necklace that priests of Teotihuacan wore. The necklace is in beautiful condition. Signed FD on the necklace clasp. Many thanks to author Penny Morrill for her excellent books & writings on Davis & 20th century Mexican silver.

Vintage, rarely seen on the market 940 sterling silver graduated disc bracelet designed and signed circa 1948-62 by famous Taxco, Mexico artist & silver Maestro Hector Aguilar. The center front disc measures 1 1/2" high. The bracelet's inner circumference when closed is 7". Bracelet weighs 85 grams or 3 oz. Slide-in clasp works perfectly. No dents are dings to silver. Beautiful soft original patina. Fully hallmarked on the clasp. This design is pictured on p. 139 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill.

Spratling designed this lovely work of art in the 1940's. The sterling silver basket holds 3 hand carved chalcedony stone flowers in varying shades of color. The brooch measures 2 7/8" across X 2 1/2" high & weighs 47 grams. The pin is in beautiful condition & fully hallmarked for Spratling on the reverse. The design is pictured on spratlingsilver.com and in Phyllis Goddard's book SPRATLING SILVER: A FIELD GUIDE.

Spratling often used the arrow in his silver necklace, bracelet, pin and container designs. This hand forged arrow was made in his very early years in Taxco, Mexico. The pin measures an impressive 3 inches long and is beautiful condition. Both the pin back and safety lock are in fine working order. Spratling designs can be seen in many permanent museum collections.

This iconic sterling silver brooch was designed & signed circa 1950's by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). The eyes of the dragonfly are finished with a copper wash. The pin measures 2 1/2" across & 2" high. The pin is in beautiful condition. Hallmarked WS 925 eagle #30. Pictured in MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carol Berke & on Phyllis Goddard's spratlingsilver.com.

This elegant work of art is a 1940's Spratling design. The ring stands a bit over 1" high. The ring size is about 7 1/2. It is in beautiful condition with some surface wear. Hallmarked SPRATLING SILVER MADE IN MEXICO.

Handmade sterling silver keychain or watch fob designed (1940's) and signed by Taxco, Mexico artist Hector Aguilar (1905-1986). Belt slide is 1 1/2" X 1". Sterling chain is 17" long. 1.7 oz., 48 grams. Sterling key holder opens and closes perfectly. No dents or dings. Applied initials can be easily removed. Pictured on page 103 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill. Great gift idea. US Priority mail shipping and insurance included.

Rare pencil signed and numbered lithograph by American and Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). This depiction of Fiesta Mexicana was printed in 1931 from the original drawing for Spratling's 1932 book LITTLE MEXICO. Signed Spratling in the lower left and numbered 11/35. Litho measures 11 1/2" X 7". Measurements with matting - 12 1/2" X 11 1/2". The piece is not framed. Beautiful original condition. This image introduces the chapter FIESTA MEXICANA on page 69 of Spratlings' LITTLE MEXICO . Purchased from the Weyhe Gallery in New York many years ago. The Weyhe Gallery had a long standing relationship with Spratling in the 1930's and 40's to represent his art as well as the Mexican artists he championed. In her book MEXICAN SILVER, P.20 Penny Morrill explains Spratling's relationship with the Weyhe Gallery and Carl Ziggrosser who ran the gallery - "The correspondence between Spratling and Ziggrosser documents their efforts in insuring that the work of David Alfaro Sigueiros, Diego Rivera, Carlos Merida, and Jose Orozco would be exhibited and sold in New York". This is a rare museum quality piece. The British museum has a litho from this series in it's permanent collection.

Intricately designed 970 sterling silver bracelet designed and signed by Taxco, Mexico modernist artist Antonio Pineda. Bracelet is 6 1/2"Long X 3/4"W. Beautiful condition with no dents, dings or repairs. Catch is tight and secure. Safety chain attached. This 1950's design called "Armadillo Scales" was featured in the recent Antonio museum exhibit and is pictured on p.127 of the catalog - SILVER SEDUCTION THE ART OF MEXICAN MODERNIST ANTONIO PINEDA.

Fantastic and rare sterling silver and turquoise cuff bracelet designed and signed in the 1950's by Hopi native american artist Preston Monongye(1927-87). 1 1/2 inches wide. The inside of the cuff measures 5 1/2" from end to end. The gap opening is 1 1/2" for a total wearable length of 6 3/4 to 7 inches. This sterling silver tufa cast bracelet weighs 114 grams or 4.0 oz. Fully hallmarked. The design features 4 rectangular turquoise stones. There is a pinhead size hole on one end of the cuff which appears to be a part of the original design. The bracelet is in exquisite condition. Price on request includes insured shipping.