Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (127)

This playful pair of bracelets were designed and handwrought during Hubert Harmon's short time in Taxco, Mexico in the 1940's. Each bracelet measures 7" long and 3/4" wide. The pair weighs 32 grams. Each fish is finely detailed and measures 1 1/2" long. The amethyst cabs are bezel set but not backed allowing light to sparkle though as they move on the wrist. Beautiful condition. Clasps are tight and secure. Both bracelets are hallmarked Sterling, HUBERT HARMON, Made in Mexico.

This modernist design by William Spratling dates to the 1950's. Weighing 90 grams the necklace is 20 inches long. The opposing "tongues" measure 2 1/2" across X 2". Screw back earrings 1 1/8" x 1". The gold wash is very light especially on the earrings. All in beautiful condition. Hallmarked on clasp and the back of one pendant. Earrings each marked with eagle 30. Spratling called this design "lenguas" or tongues of fire. This design is included in WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill on page 246.

This buoyant pair of large brooches were constructed & signed c.1930's by Mexico City artist Frederick Davis(1880-1961). Each measures 3 1/4" long. The design is pictured on p. 80 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill. Both pins are in beautiful condition. Pin backs and safety locks are in excellent working order. Each hallmarked FD SILVER MEXICO.

Hand wrought, this large, detailed, sterling silver belt buckle was created c.1940's by Taxco, Mexico artist Hubert Harmon. Measuring 4 1/4" long x 2 1/4" from toe to toe the piece weighs 55 grams. 2 loops on the back measure 1 1/2" across. The smaller loop at the heel is 1 1/8". The design beautifully details the contours and shape of the bottom of a foot and it's toes. The buckle (or pendant if you like) is in excellent condition with a soft aged patina. Fully hallmarked with Harmons signature 2 soles, angel wings, HUBERT HARMON STERLING MEXICO & HAND MADE.

Detailed and deeply hand carved in heavy 980 silver this early brooch designed by Spratling features the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl of pre- Columbian myth. In beautiful condition & weighing 53 grams the pin measures 2 1/4" across. Pictured on spratlingsilver.com where author Phyllis Goddard explains that this pin design was included in a 1937 Brooklyn Museum of Art exhibit of Spratling's work. Spratling designs are included in the permanent collections of LACMA and MFA Boston.

Signed Valentin designs seldom surface as their rarity, style and elegance make them highly sought after works of art. This sculptural piece measures 2" across X 1 3/4" high and weighs 33 grams. Beautiful condition and patina. Fully hallmarked .940 Valentin TAXCO MEXICO. Looks great on a chain or cord as well. Valentin was an apprentice of both Hector Aguilar and William Spratling. Penny Morrill's books MEXICAN SILVER, SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO and DREAMING IN SILVER offer in-depth details & photographs of this talented artist and his designs.

Finely detailed, this vintage 1940's Los Castillo brooch measures 3 1/4" H. X 2 1/2" & weighs 45 grams. Both pinback and safety catch are in perfect working order. The piece carries the 1940's Los Castillo linear hallmarks along with the taller's eagle 15 assay mark. Beautiful condition and patina. Truly a wearable work of art.

Beautifully detailed in 940 sterling silver this delightful, hand crafted brooch was designed & signed c. 1940-45 by Taxco, Mexico Maestro Hector Aguilar. The "puffy heart" body supports the obsidian head, face and large ears all defined in silver. Pin measures 2 3/4" x 2 1/4" and weighs 50 grams. Beautiful condition and patina. 1/16" scratch on stone. Fully hallmarked Taxco HA 940. Pinback & safety are in fine working order. This design was used on the cover dustjacket of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE and on p. 210.

Beautiful repousse' work in this elegant design by William Spratling brings the piece to life. Weighing 23 grams and measuring 3" x 2" the brooch was designed as a dress or fur clip. Spratling designed this piece in a few different sizes. For comparison see the 4" x 3 1/2" example also listed on our site. All in beautiful condition with excellent patina. The larger size is included in the permanent collection of 20th century Mexican silver at LACMA.

Dramatic & eye catching, this vintage 1950's onyx & sterling silver bracelet was designed by Taxco, Mexico artist Antonio Pineda. Weighing a hefty 149 grams the bracelet has a wearable length of 7 inches. Each link is 1 1/2" wide. The deep black stones are in fine condition & gleam in the light as the wrist moves. The thick 970 silver is also in excellent condition with minor surface wear. Slide clasp is tight & secure. Original safety chain attached. Fully hallmarked for the artist.

Beautifully fluid, this hand crafted design was called the "Collar Gola" by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling circa 1948-52. Weighing 70 grams the necklace has a wearable length of 19 inches. The center element is 4" across at the top & 1 1/2" high at the center. Spratling used a subtle vermeil wash adding to the 3 dimensional effect of the design. All in beautiful condition with excellent patina. Fully hallmarked with the rare eagle # 1 & WS. Featured on p. 245 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill & on spratlingsilver.com by Phyllis Goddard.

Reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright Art Deco designs this silver & stone necklace was created & signed c. 1949-52 by American & Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling. Weighing 100 grams, the necklace has a wearable length of 18 1/2 inches. The central element is 2 1/2" X 1 1/2". Signed on the clasp SPRATLING DE MEXICO STERLING. Both stones & silver are in beautiful condition. Clasp is tight & secure. This design is pictured on p. 242 of WILLIAM SPRATLING & THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. The design also pictured in SPRATLING SILVER by Sanderline Cederwall & on Phyllis Goddard's site spratlingsilver.com

Heavily hand carved, this vintage sterling silver necklace was designed & signed c. 1940's by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling. Weighing 140 grams the necklace has a wearable length of 18 inches. The center panel is 1 3/8" high. Professionally restrung on sterling silver fox wire chain the necklace is in beautiful condition. Pictured on p. 167 of the museum catalog WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. Also pictured on Phyllis Goddard's spratlingsilver.com. Spratling designs are included in several permanent museum collections.

This hand crafted silver box was designed & signed c. 1940's by renowned artist Hubert Harmon during his short time in Taxco, Mexico. Weighing 265 grams or 9.4 oz. the piece measures 5" long X 3" wide X 1/2" deep. The hand carved amethyst stones & silver are in beautiful condition. Harmon's sense of humor & whimsy are evident in this design where he uses his trade mark "bare feet with wings" along with the face & body of an angel & a carved amethyst star in the sky above. An informative section on Harmon can be found on p. 138 of Mexican Silver by Penny Morrill.

With articulated detail & dimension this exceptional 980 sterling silver piece was designed & signed circa 1930's by American & Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). Weighing 110 grams of near pure silver the necklace has a wearable length of 17 inches. The serpent pendant is 3 1/4" long X 2 1/8" across X 1" high. In mint condition with a beautiful patina that only comes with age. Hallmarked 980 WS TAXCO. This necklace design was included in the museum exhibit WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE & is pictured on p. 232 of the exhibit catalog by Penny Morrill. Also pictured on the cover of Spratling Silver: A Field Guide by Phyllis Goddard.

Modernism at it's best, this 970 silver & inlaid shell bracelet was designed & signed c. 1950's by Taxco, Mexico artist Antonio Pineda (1919-2009). Measuring 1 1/2" high at the front with a wearable interior length of 6 3/4", the bracelet weighs 86 grams & is in beautiful condition. The slide in clasp & safety chain are tight & secure. This design is pictured on p.152 SILVER SEDUCTION: THE ART OF MEXICAN MODERNIST ANTONIO PINEDA.

Intricately constructed of sterling silver & stone this piece was designed c. 1940's by American & Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling. Measuring 2 1/2" X 2 1/2" the pin weighs 40 grams. This design was included in the museum exhibit William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance & is pictured on p.97 of the museum catalog by curator Penny Morrill. Also pictured on p.48 of Mexican Silver by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk. Rarely seen on the market this museum piece is included in the permanent 20th century Mexican Silver collection at LACMA & pictured on the museum's website.

This exceptionally rare bracelet was designed & signed c. 1943 to 1948 by noted Taxco, Mexico artist Hector Aguilar. Each of the 14 panels measure 1 5/8" across & are centered with a tear drop shaped chrysocolla (crizacola) stone. Weighing 159 grams the bracelet has a wearable length of 6 3/4", a hook & eye closure & safety chain. In beautiful condition with an excellent patina the bracelet is hallmarked HA STERLING MADE IN MEXICO. The HA mark is double stamped. This design, with amethyst is pictured on page 10 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill. A necklace with onyx tear drop stones in this design is included in the permanent 20th century Mexican silver collection at LACMA.