Lovely bar pin in lapiday-cut banded agate. The strong malachite green color is very unusual and striking. The mountings are gold filled. The back retains the original "C" clasp and tube hinge.

Origin: Scotland, mid 19th century. Condition: small flakes on the back sides of three corners (only faintly visible from the front when inspected closely). Size: 2-1/4" long.

Lovely Art Deco quadruple strand necklace composed of white seed beads flanking two lapis lazuli hemispheres alternating with three rings of channel-set paste.

Origin: American, ca. 1925. Condition: excellent. Size: 15" long.

Sterling silver and 14 karat gold bangle bracelet, set with three pearls and three rubies, each mounted in yellow gold. The gems are set equidistant from one another. The pearls are deeply lustrous and have a fine, faint pink tint. The pear-shaped rubies are also of good color and clarity. The pearls are 6mm in diameter; the rubies are approximately 4mm x 2mm. Ca. 1950's.

Beautiful striped agate mounted in sterling silver and gold. The back of the mounting is silver and the top edges are gold. There are no hallmarks, so the brooch is probably American or a custom-made English piece. It retains its original clasp. 1.25"x1.5"

This humorous, mustached character has a mischievous glint in his amber colored rhinestone eyes. Gold plated, heavy and very three dimensional. Pendant 3 1/2" long, 2" at widest, 1" at deepest. Chain 23 1/2".

Real amethyst crystals surrounded by chunky gold plate. Brooch has gold leaf pattern with prong set clear rhinestones, 2" by 1 3/4". Clip earrings have gold nugget look, 1" by 3/4".

Interesting combination of magenta and purple, this set is of composition beads in various sizes and shapes. Knotted throughout, the two necklace strands measure 26 1/2" and 29". The clasp is rhinestone. Complimentary clip earrings(with beautiful Haskell style backs) measure 1 1/2" by 1" approximately.

Adorable cornucopias full of oranges, pears, tomatoes, carrots,leaves and more. Just plain fun. Clips 2" long, 1 1/2" at widest and 3/4" at deepest. Slip on earrings 1 1/4" long, 3/4" wide and 1/2" deep. This set did not pass my Bakelite test, but it may be Bakelite because the test is not fool proof.

Elegant vermeil brooch from the 1940s. Large crystal stone and clear pave rhinestones. 2 1/2" by 1 3/4" approximately.

Sterling vermeil clip 3" long x 1 1/2" wide with hinged clip earrings. Lots going on here: sword, shield, swirling banners with tiny clear rhinestones and faux pearls. Very three dimensional.

Quite substantial and very very mod this sterling silver bracelet by Danecraft is comprised of hefty links that have also been textured and oxidized to enhance their sculptural appeal. One of the most famous and prolific American jewelry manufacturers, Danecraft created various qualities of sterling pieces and I consider the bracelet presented here an example of their best lines...

A carefully crafted copy of one of Hubert Harmon's Mexican designs, this fabulous sterling silver and amethyst belt buckle is anonymous yet, as quite often is the case, the lack of a signature does not affect the piece's quality and beauty. Based on the workmanship I suspect this may be a Casa Maya example. Casa Maya issued many of Harmon's designs in brass primarily yet they did make them in sterling as well and quite often pieces in their parures went out in the marked without full hallmarks...

One of my favorite "less celebrated" Taxco maestros, Gerardo Lopez has been steadily gaining in popularity among collectors of vintage Mexican silver jewelry. I suspect that he worked for the Los Castillo and / or Margot de Taxco before he started his own taller as his creations are often reminiscent of designs issued by both famous workshops. Lopez's repoussage is masterful and the finishing on his jewelry impeccable...

Sweet vintage 1930s/40s carved coral cameo pendant accompanied by a fine, .950 silver chain, this is a romantic, elegant necklace that defies the whims of time and fashion. Featuring the portrait of a "matron" in the classical style the cameo is set in a sterling oval frame embellished with delicate floral overlay. The pendant's swivel-out bail makes me think that it might have started its life as a pin or at least a combination pin / pendant; if so, the conversion was done a long time ago...

Matching the "festoon with teardrops" necklace I recently sold, this set of earrings by the Los Castillo workshop is truly glamorous! I love the flair of the bifurcated element at the top with its curvaceous central semi-sphere which mirrors the sculptural elegance of the teardrop. And, please, note the playful articulation of the semi-circular links forming the main dangle. Aren't they just a pleasure? The earrings measure 1 3/4" long by 1 1/4" wide and weigh 17.5 grams (for the set)...

The "less-is-more" philosophy of modernism and the classic, for Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance, marriage of silver and amethyst come together in this minimalist by-pass ring signed by Doris Corpus Artisans. A daring, Texas-born American who decided to move to Mexico in the 1940s, Doris Smith Chamberlin had her own workshop by 1945 and her commitment to perfection and inspired design resulted in the creation of some truly exceptional jewelry...

A masterfully crafted, meticulously finished frame of sterling lily pads accented with tiny beading and elegant little wire swirls surrounds a flat-top amethyst gem in the vintage studio ring I am presenting here. This type of silver-work and the specific foliate motif is easily identified as created by Mary Gage, one of the most talented - and indeed most eccentric - silversmiths of the late American Arts and Crafts movement...

One of the classiest and most classic Mexican Deco jewelry designs, the "shield" necklace is associated with the names of Fred Davis and Abraham Paz but has also been made by other, contemporary maestros both anonymous and "less celebrated". Our sterling and dyed green calcite example belongs in the latter group but, as I have pointed out many times in the past, its "anonymity" does not take away at all from its craftsmanship and good looks...

I am thrilled to be presenting you with this Mexican Deco silver and amethyst glass “masks” and cabs bracelet. This type of multi-row repousse semi-spheres bangle (I like to think of similar bracelets as glorified hinged bangles indeed!) is one of the most sought-after forms in the world of vintage jewelry from Mexico...

This bracelet is a seldom seen design from Sigi Pineda. It's a spectacular modernist piece with three faceted stones which graduate in size. At first glance the stones appear to be hematite, but they may well be onyx. Opens at the back nice and wide to easily fit over the wrist. Original safety chain attached. Closed, wearable length is 6 7/8". Width is 1 7/8". Weight is 91.3 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Sigi Tasco Made in Mexico Sterling", with the design #47 and the eagle assay 3...

An early design by the Los Castillo taller (could it have been created by their cousin, Salvador Teran, when he was still working for them?), the “fish skeleton” is considered a classic and has seen many emulations and reproductions over the years. The hinged bracelet at hand, wrought in thick silver sheet with copper bead accents, is a modernist treasure that was made for small wrists...

Rare to find and quintessentially Mexican Deco, especially if we are looking at the Mexico City school repousse pieces, these sterling silver rings with their carved stone "masquettes" are the dedicated collector's dream. Yet you don't have to be a collector to enjoy their unique character. What always attracted me to them is their "Arts and Crafts" style silver work which allows you to follow the maestro's creative journey by tracing the marks his/her tools left on the precious metal...

Admittedly my favorite Mexican modernist, Salvador Teran seems to have never had a "bad" moment during his career. There is not one piece of his that I have come upon which I have not loved for its quirky abstraction, its sometimes tongue-in-cheek genius, its magical way of playing with layers, abstraction and oxidation. The mod pendant presented here provides a good illustration, I believe, of the point I am trying to make. The rendering borders on cubism yet at the same time, the pendant regis...

A true choker-sized necklace by the Los Castillo workshop which can, nevertheless, easily accept a simple extension (please, ask if you need one), this is a design I have always admired for its perfect combination of sterling repousse links and bi-cone (or sometimes even flattened circular) glass beads. Very well made and so easy to enjoy no matter what the occasion is, our version is adorned with amethyst-colored beads that cast a purple shadow on the already warm patina of the silver. The neck...

A vintage sterling silver brooch by Margot de Taxco, (Margot Van Voorhies Carr). Heavy repousse in a classic swirl or Nautilus design, #5104. Has 16 dangles. The matching necklace and bracelet are pictured on page 46 of Penny Morrill's book "William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance." Circa 1950-55.

The brooch measures 2 1/4" high and 2 1/4" at the widest without the dangles. Marked Made in Mexico Sterling, Margot de Taxco and 5104. Also marked with Eagle #16. Weighs 35 gr. ...

This is one of our very favorite rings. It would make a lovely engagement ring for a woman who wants something a bit different, and the green & red stones make it great for St. Patrick’s, Christmas, or really any time at all! The central diamond is approximately 20 points (1/5 of a carat, but looks bigger), and is set in platinum. The rest of the setting is made of unmarked but tested 14k gold of a lovely rich yellow. There are 4 tiny rubies and 3 tiny green demantoid garnets. It’s very hard...

Circa early 1940's, the Lyre necklace is an iconic design from Hector Aguilar. Shown on p. 30 of Silver Masters of Mexico, it's a necklace which drapes beautifully on the neck with a substantial presence. Measures 15 3/4" end to end. Weight is 131.2 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the conjoined HA, Taxco, and 940. In excellent vintage condition.

Hallmarks date this magnificent Matilde Poulat fish necklace 1934-1940. Truly a masterpiece with superb repoussé silver work. There are nine dangling fish, each with a coral eye. Eleven panels are adorned with triple turquoise cabochons. One of her most sought after designs, and quite rare. Measures 16 1/4" closed, wearable length. Center fish dangles 3" tall from top of turquoise to bottom of tail. Weight is 145 grams. Signed and hallmarked in block "MATL 925" on the back of two of the ...

This Erika Hult de Corral bracelet was produced 1960's - 70's. It's a gorgeous modernist design, with eighteen amethyst cabochons and three large oval gold sheen obsidian stones. Measures a closed, wearable length of 7", with a width of 1 1/4". Weight is 94.6 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Ric Taxco", with the design # 125 and the eagle assay 3. In excellent vintage condition.

This fabulous vintage Antonio Pineda Bracelet has a bold modernist design with links of thick silver in a stylized leaf design. It measures 6 5/8" long by 1" wide and weighs 82.5 grams. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown mark, 970, Hecho en Mexico, eagle 17 and the design number ZZ609 - this number shows that the bracelet was made in Antonio's workshop. It is in good condition with only light age related wear and tarnish. The button topped clasp is secure and there is an attached safety cha...

I was always in love with beaded necklaces but as I grow older I appreciate their elegant comfort even more. Whether worn alone or combined with similar pieces, with stones or all-silver, they can be counted on to save the day whatever the occasion. This specific design by Carmen Beckmann is one of my absolute favorites - I have one in my jewelry box and I will never let go. Made up of two sizes of beads, one plain, the other embellished with ornate wire-work, it is most usually found in choker ...

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.

A rare example of Jose Luis Flores's work to come upon, this distinctly modernist necklace made my day when I discovered it. I have in the past sold the matching bracelet to it but this specific form eluded me for the longest of times and I am thrilled to be offering it here. Made up of links constructed using overlay, hand-cutting and chasing as well as oxidation, it brings to mind Teran's biomorphism and the design's execution is flawless. No wonder many of Flores's jewelry are also signed for...

Here is an interesting portrait in silver, of a wind-swept young person clad in a cloak and hood. It’s very detailed and just lovely. We think it’s a boy (very unusual in jewelry), as the hair seems to be quite short under the hood. The hood itself looks like a cap made from a flower, as seen on fairies in Victorian children’s books. It measures 1-1/8” wide, is hollow, and is marked “STERLING TOP GERMAN SILVER BACK”. The sterling front is in very good condition. “German silver” ...

Potent design and perfect execution combine in this set of Antonio Pineda cufflinks shaped like bull skulls. Fine, .970 silver with a satin finish (which I love here!), horns of what I believe is obsidian and not onyx (they test as glass on my gem tester, which is what obsidian is, volcanic glass) and a haunting interplay of negative and positive space in the casting of the animal's skull bequeath an other-worldly aura to an already impressive pair - and I mean impressive both in its boldness as...

One of my absolute favorite designs by Gerardo Lopez, this silver and copper "mask" necklace I have sold a few times during my career as a vintage Mexican jewelry dealer and I never tire of it! There is so much to attract the eye here and every time you look at it, you spot something new and exciting. Meticulously cut ornate sterling "frames", oxidized and embellished with overlay, surround the highly sculptural copper "masks". Lopez's decision to flank the central "portrait" with smaller versio...