Based on one of William Spratling's most classic, early designs this Mexican Deco silver and amethyst ring is an anonymous beauty from the same period the renowned designer was active. Lean and mean in its constitutive motifs, it nevertheless packs a powerful visual punch what with the mysterious depths of its cloudy cabochon and the curves of the beading on either side of the stone...

Circa 1940's, here is a seldom seen pin from noted Taxco designer Hubert Harmon. Harmon was active for a short time, and this Neptune pin is signed and hallmarked with his winged feet and Hubert Harmon marks dating likely 1942-1948.

It's a stunning whimsical pin with Neptune holding his pitchfork, seating upon a large fish with an amethyst cabochon eye. The repoussé silver work is superb...

This Fred Davis ring was produced in the 1930's to early 1940's. It features a large hand-cut and polished amethyst cabochon, and is a generous size 7. The face of the ring is 13/16", with a depth of 3/8". The stone itself is gorgeous, with natural inclusions and quartz marbling. Weight is 9.8grams. Signed and hallmarked with the conjoined FD and Made in Mexico Silver. In excellent vintage condition.

A handsome pair of 18K yellow gold cufflinks worked in the Etruscan Revival style with applied bead rosettes. The spherical faces are attached by chains to baton backs, also decorated with applied bead rosettes. The gold surfaces have a slight matte finish. The cufflinks are hallmarked with the French “hibou” import mark.

Ca. 1940...

One of the most talented, innovative maestros of Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance, Jose Luis Flores created some amazing designs that were sold not only under his own name but bore the hallmarks of Miguel Martinez, Emma Melendez and Rubi Ramirez as well...

Hallmarks date this magnificent early Matilde Poulat necklace to 1934-1948. The centerpiece is huge, measuring 5" wide and 3 1/8" tall, with beautiful birds and and three large faceted purple flowers in a vase. Hand-wrought with exquisite repoussé silver work. Embellished with coral and turquoise cabochons, amethysts on the clasp. Closed, wearable length is about 18 1/2"...

Exuding a primordial strength and keeping its secrets well hidden under layers of hand-etched scales, beading and overlay this stunning creature - I see it as a sea serpent but on second thought and if those appliques running along its spine are stylized feathers, it could be Quetzalcoatl as easily - is another treasure bearing the signature of Doris and her Corpus Artisans group of maestros...

An elegant pair of Retro 14K yellow gold earclips by Tiffany & Co. The earrings are fashioned as a fold of pleated gold, each with a single 5-mm cultured pearl in the center. The pearls are of fine quality, with cream body color and pronounced rose overtone. The original clips are the patented adjustable style often seen on Tiffany earrings from the 1940s and 50s. The backs are marked “Tiffany & Co.” and “14K”.

Origin: America, ca. 1945. Condition: excellent, all original...

Circa 1930's - 1940's, here is a huge early hand-wrought Mexican modernist bracelet. Hallmarked simply "Silver Mexico", it's a book-piece design seldom seen, originally created by Frederick Davis and shown in the Morrill/Berk book "Mexican Silver". No maker's mark on this one. Four large amethyst cabochons with quartz marbling and natural inclusions sit between oval silver tubes with silver balls at each end...

Los Castillo is known for their superb silver repousse work and this stunning bracelet is an outstanding example of that skill. Two large vary ornate fish sitting on two blue Art Glass cabochons curve around the wrist ending with silver shells at the clasp in the back. It measures 6 1/2" long by 2" wide at the front tapering to 1" at the back and is quite heavy at 97.9 grams...

Too cute! This vintage pair of sterling silver toggle back chain link cufflinks feature transfer printed Westie dogs on a black ground, framed in silver. Marked 925, Mid Century. Measures 3/4 in diameter, 3/4 in chain. Excellent condition (shadows cast on face from lighting).

$2,600 Circa 1940-1944, this bracelet is known as "Petate", and is one of Spratling's heaviest and most elusive designs. It's a book-piece design shown in "Dreaming in Silver", and spectacular in every sense. Measures 2 1/8" tall in front. Closed, wearable length is 6 3/4". Closes with a pin. Weight is 126.5 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Spratling Silver, Made in Mexico". Tested to be 98% purity. In excellent vintage condition.

A handsome pair of sterling silver cufflinks by Georg Jensen. The rectangular faces are severely designed in the Art Deco style, with only a series of parallel raised bands as decoration. The solid connectors are attached to hinged oval backs. The cufflinks are marked with the pattern number 80 and bear post-1945 Jensen hallmarks.

Origin: Denmark, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 15/16" x 3/8". Weight: 15.6 grams.

This necklace was produced by P. Ochoa in Mexico City during the 1930's - 1940's. One seldom comes across the work of this silversmith, whose work closely mirrors that of Matilde Poulat. This necklace is hand-wrought with a carved onyx face/mask sitting within a highly detailed repoussé headdress. The centerpiece measures 1 13/16" x 1 15/16"...

Circa 1940-1945, this masterpiece from Los Castillo pulls out all the stops. The craftsmanship is magnificent, the design sublime. The prong set faceted stones are almost black in color, with brown striations which can be seen from the back of the stones. The design is full of swirls and tiny beading. Centerpiece has six dangles and measures 5 1/2" wide and 2 1/4" tall...

Exceptional workmanship for an exceptional guy, these large square abalone shell and nickel silver toggle back cufflinks were handcrafted in Mexico, circa 1930, beautiful coloration, marked TAXCO, ALPACA and #3 mark of alpaca silver. Size: 7/8"; Condition: minor wear.

Gorgeous large signed Joseff brooch in Victorian Celtic style with brilliant openback unfoiled faceted glass stones in bezel settings. Marked JOSEFF. Circa 1940. Joseff jewelry was designed and made for costuming in top Hollywood movies in the 30s through the 60s, and also sold to consumers in exclusive stores such as Nieman Marcus. A key signature of Joseff jewelry was the matte metal finish which was intended to reduce glare under studio lights during filming, and was used in the r...

A Very Fine and Rare Chinese 24K Gold Mounted Jadeite Bangle Bracelet: China, each section stamped with #. The beautiful jade bracelet with 24K gold is set with 2 sections decorated with stylized floral design in gold pieces. It is in very fine condition,its measurements: 6.8cm outer diameter, and 5.1cm inner diameter.

Large and beautifully crafted Navajo Silver and Turquoise ring, size 8 3/4", measuring 1 3/4" long and 1" wide, and 1 1/4" high from base of band to top of stone. The stone has a lovely caramel and brown matrix, with a deep turquoise green tone. It is signed "sterling" and has a maker's mark that is not clear. From a collection of good Navajo jewelry, most pre 1980s. In good condition, some wear and slight tarnist visible to silver, but the stone is in perfect condition, nicely polished and ...

Beautiful baroque style sterling necklace with a very large brilliant synthetic color changing alexandrite stone as a centerpiece. Marked NESTOR 925 and STERLING MEXICO. 1940s, without an eagle mark. The stone changes color from intense warm purple under daylight and yellow light, to violet blue under white light.

15 inches wearable length by 1/2 inch wide along the sides. The centerpiece is 3 1/2 inches wide by 2 inches long. Excellent condition. On the back of the centerpiece, visible in ...

Not much is known - if anything at all - about Ars Plata whose signature is found on the Mexican silver and amethyst dangle earrings at hand. Bille Hougart lists an "Art Plat." in his book on Mexican silver hallmarks but I am not sure the two workshops / retailers (?) are the same. This lack of information is part of the field's reality yet it is always exciting to find a name not often encountered. Especially if it is stamped on beautifully made, slick jewelry like this set ever so reminiscent ...

Expertly crafted vintage sterling cuff bracelet from the Navajo Arts and Crafts Guild which was formed in 1941 under the auspices of the U.S. Government’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board and the Navajo Tribal authority to help young Navajo silversmiths learn from the masters in order to preserve the quality of classic Navajo silver work. This fine cuff has precise and intricate stamping . Measuring 5 1/2" around in the inside plus an additional 1 1/4" opening, it is 7/8" wide and weighs 58 grams...

A fascinating pair of 14K yellow gold cufflinks set with emeralds. This is only the second pair we've seen with this particular type of mechanism. The "wheat-style" chain is inserted through the cuff and then wrapped around the emerald-set head. It works much like the more traditional stirrup-style, but with more flexibility. Each head is set with a pair of rectangular emeralds. As is typical of the Retro period when trade was restricted by World War II, the emeralds are synthetic. The sto...

This pre-1948 bracelet is a Fred Davis design, here hallmarked simply "Mexico Silver". Composed of six large silver panels, each set with a large amethyst cabochon, this bracelet measures a closed, wearable length of 7 1/2" with a width of 1 3/8". Weight is 67.7 grams. Fold over clasp gives this piece a seamless appearance. In excellent vintage condition. Stones are gorgeous, perfectly matched in color

Beautiful vintage 1940s wired necklace, probably Chinese export, with carved stone beads alternating with clear faceted beads that are either glass or rock crystal. The carved stone beads include amethyst, what looks like one celadon jade bead, serpentine, carnelian, rose quartz, what looks like lapis or sodalite, and a large pale green bead that looks like flourite or some other quartz. There are also smooth beads in various hardstones and in turquoise. Continuous strand (no clasp) wired in dar...

This lovely Antonio Pineda 970 Silver Bracelet features thick heavy links with a stylized leaf motif. Featured in the book Silver Masters of Mexico on page 181, it measures 6 7/8" long by 1" wide and has a substantial weight of 82.7 grams. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown, 970, Sterling, Silver, ZZ609 and the eagle stamp 17. Secure box clasp and attached safety chain. A beautiful, elegant bracelet with timeless style.

A classic early Matilde Poulat Mexican silver bracelet, its textured sterling wire-work adorned with beading and coral and turquoise cabochons, this piece was made in the 1934-48 period of Matl's creative life as is indicated by its hallmarks. Part of her "flat" as opposed to "repousse" jewelry, the bracelet is perfectly articulated and responds to the wrist's every move in a effortless, gracious way. Its "solid" construction bestows a welcome weight to it that feels warmly familiar when you hav...

A fine and very early pair of silver cufflinks in the “Maya” pattern by Margot de Taxco. Margot established her own studio in 1948. The “Maya” pattern, displaying a strongly-featured native Mexican man in profile, became one of her iconic designs. The cufflinks are generously sized and retain a nice patina. The backs of the faces are stamped with marks used before the introduction of the eagle system in 1948, so the cufflinks can be dated to a very early date for Margot.

Origin: Me...

One rarely sees work produced by La Joya. La Joya designs are unique and original, the craftsmanship superb. This necklace dates to pre-1948. It's a definite statement piece, adorned with 7 amethyst cabochons. The largest of them measures 7/8" x 7/16", and sits on the center "ribbon". Centerpiece measures just under 5 1/2" across. The amethysts are beautiful stones, well matched in color, with natural inclusions. Necklace measures a closed, wearable length of 18". Weight is 78 grams....

Gorgeous & extremely rare this vintage abalone & sterling silver bracelet was designed & signed c. 1950 by Taxco, Mexico modernist artist Antonio Pineda (1919-2009). The bracelet measures 2 inches high at the front center & 3/4 inch at the back spring. Wearable interior length is 6 1/2 inches. Screw back earrings are 1 inch high. Bracelet spring is tight and secure. The hand carved abalone leaves have an exquisite iridescent sheen. All in excellent condition with a beautiful warm patina.

This elegant Sterling Silver bracelet by Margot de Taxco has an Art Deco feel with slightly curved links that wrap around your wrist. Measures 8" long, 7/8" wide and weighs 46.6 grams. Hallmarked Margot de Taxco, Sterling Made in Mexico, 5646A with the eagle 16. Very well made with a secure clasp and safety chain. An elegant, lovely bracelet with timeless appeal.

Striding the divide between classic Mexican and Native American / Southwestern design this sterling silver bracelet is one of the most beautiful examples of the “marriage” I have seen. This hybridization is not, in fact, accidental as it is known from the relevant literature that Mexican maestros were a significant factor in the development of Native American silversmithing. The hinged bangle at hand has its front “wing” stippled and chased with a ribbon design and upon it the anonymous ...

ROMANTIC, ADORED AND DEVOTED...This vintage pair of handcrafted sterling silver cuff links was made by modernist jewelry designer Gonzalo Moreno in Taxco, Mexico circa 1945, having a simple design and excellent craftsmanship, initials RAD; mark on back showing wear but readable STERLING, MORENO, MEXICO; Measurements: 7/8 in wide x 5/8 in high approximately. Condition is excellent with minimal patina of old silver.

Known for their high quality of holloware primarily, Ingrid's remains even today one of those elusive actors in the story of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance. Active in the 1930s and 1940s, as Bille Hougart reports, this retailer seems to have been the venue through which well-known maestros like Chato Castillo sold some of their creations. Based on my experience I can say that jewelry bearing their signature is not very often encountered but when it pops up, it is always on big, bold and bea...

Possibly one of Hector Aguilar's most recognizable designs, his timeless "lyre" necklace and bracelet are both sensual & strong. The necklace is 16" long X 3/4" wide & weighs 144 grams. The bracelet is 47 grams, 6 3/4" long X 5/8" wide. Both are in excellent condition with a beautifully aged patina. This design is pictured on p. 30 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill.

A retail shop in Taxco, Margarita was a place were one could buy jewelry by many local maestros, according to Bille Hougart. The long, beautifully made dangle earrings presented here bear only the shop’s name without a specific maker’s signature yet this does not affect their quality at all. Obviously hand-wrought with deeply chased details that have been oxidized to add depth to the design, the set combines scroll and feather motifs with beading and glows with the silky patina of a life wel...