A pretty 10K yellow and rose gold half-hoop wedding band, the front decorated with finely engraved roses. The flower petals are worked in rose gold for added contrast and the entire design is recessed to prevent wear to the carving. The interior of the shank is marked "10K" and also has an unidentified maker's mark.

• Origin: America, ca...

A nice pair of mid-century Mexican sterling silver cufflinks, the triangular faces set with amethysts carved to depict an ancient Aztec mask. The style of carving suggests either Abraham Paz or Fred Davis as the likely maker. The backs are marked "Plata Sterling 925".

Origin: Mexico, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, all original. Dimensions: faces, 11/16" x 11/16". Weight: 8.1 gr.

Circa mid-century, this Los Castillo pin is a spectacular work of wearable art, and features one of their most iconic designs.

It's a multi-dimensional piece with superb repoussé silver work, highly detailed, and absolutely collector quality.

Measures 3 1/4" x 2"...

Straddling the divide between Aesthetic and Arts and Crafts design, this hinged sterling silver buckle bracelet was, I believe, made in the USA based on its hallmarking. The entire surface of the front "wing" is etched with ivy leaves, a motif beloved by the Victorians it seems, while the back is left blank, as is usually the case with bracelets of this type...

This brooch by Matilde Poulat features a large amethyst front and center, with turquoise cabochons and coral branches in a butterfly design with dangles.

Measures 2" tall x 1 1/2" wide. Pin closes with a rolling "C" clasp.

Weight is 11.8 grams.

Signed and hallmarked "Matl Mexico 925", with the eagle assay 129. Dates to pre-1960.

My second M Velazquez silver brooch for the day, this Mexican Deco repousse "portrait" I have never had (nor, I believe, seen) before. As opposed to the first figural pin, here the "sitter" is shown in profile, his likeness set in a raised frame against a stippled background. Velazquez's repoussage can be very dramatic and in the piece at hand it is also enhanced by deep chasing and oxidation which brings out the sculpturality of the face and the impressive headdress...

One of the best "manufacturers" of silver jewelry and holloware in Peru Industria Peruana created some amazing "Inca Revival" (if I am permitted the term) pieces around the middle of the 20th c. when Graziella Laffi was also active. Their designs are beautifully executed with crisp detail and careful finishing and very often it is Peru's rich history that provided the motifs...

A fine Victorian 14K gold stick pin in the form of a sword. The ornate hilt is bead-set with seed pearls and old European cut emeralds. The emeralds are of very fine quality, with excellent color. The back has a small bale that can be attached to a safety pin and chain, if desired. Tested and guaranteed 14K gold.

Ca. 1890. Condition: excellent. Size: hilt, 7/8” x 3/4"; overall length, 2-5/8”. Weight: 2.5 grams. Approximate Total Emerald Weight: .2 carat.

Rings by Victoria of Taxco, one of the few ladies of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance that are known to us, are such rare finds, they actually touch upon the impossible. If one is really lucky, one might find a shadowbox example from her "angel" parure but I have never before seen a "mask" ring with her signature. Yet here it is - the black onyx "mask" set in elaborate sterling worked such as to represent a headdress and breastplate...

A retail shop in Taxco, according to Bille Hougart, Plateria Cortes is a name also found on some of Enrique Ledesma pieces, most probably because they were sold there. So my first thought when I saw this set of vintage Mexican silver surrealist earrings was that they might have been made by Ledesma. And then it all came back to me - a couple of years ago, I sold three sets of earrings in the same exact style (and actually even a pair like the one at hand) clearly signed for Sigi Pineda...

Spanish Colonial in inspiration with their heart-shaped wire-work and tiny little beading this set of sterling silver and amethyst dangle earrings is a Mexican Deco treasure. Securely set in their bezels, full of inclusions that shroud their depths in mystery, the stones are carved in the shape of leaves which hang off richly colored amethyst cabs. Big, bold, beautiful yet also so romantic and full of nostalgia...

This past year seems to have been a Carmen Beckmann year for One Good Eye Silver. And even though I cannot claim it was because of planning, it has not been entirely out of luck either. One of the few female contributors to Mexico’s 20th c Silver Renaissance that we know of, Beckmann’s jewelry are works of a confident designer, impeccably finished and at her best moments, incredibly creative as well...

A lovely 18K yellow and white gold and ruby heart-shaped love pendant (“medaille d’amour”) with a rebus spelling out Plus qu’hier, moins que demain,” (“More than yesterday, less than tomorrow.”) a line from the love poem written by Rosemonde Gérard to her husband Edmond Rostand (author of “Cyrano”) in 1889. The word “plus” is symbolized by a plus sign in white gold and the word “moins” by a minus sign set with rectangular cut synthetic rubies...

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...

This mid-century pin is the work of Los Castillo. It's a striking modernist design which is composed of two pieces connected with a rivet. The bottom hands and body swings freely with movement. Hand-wrought with intricate detail.

Measures 2 3/4" x 1 3/8".

Weight is 17.3 grams.

Signed and hallmarked "Los Castillo Taxco", with the eagle assay 15 and the design # 136.

In excellent vintage condition. Pin closes with a rolling C clasp.

Circa mid-century, these earrings are the work of Salvador Vaca Teran. Teran worked for William Spratling before leaving to work with his cousins at Los Castillo - creating many of their earlier designs. These earrings are a perfect example of his distinct abstract designs, biomorphic and modernist. Measures 1 5/16" at the widest part. Weight is 18 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Salvador" in script, and "Sterling Mexico", along with the design # 144. Collector quality...

Circa 1950's, this belt buckle is was produced by Antonio Pineda. I have never seen this one before, and it's quite similar to one which William Spratling designed. Antonio Pineda began his career working for William Spratling. It's hand-wrought with criss-crossing lines which are deeply carved with oxidized recesses.

Measures 2 5/8" x 15/16"...

Circa pre-1948, this large sterling silver brooch was produced by Doris Silver / Corpus Artisans. It's a highly detailed exquisitely crafted pin with a floral design. Measures 3" tall, 2 1/2" wide. Weight is 24.7 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Doris Silver Corpus Artisans Mexico". In excellent vintage condition. Pin closes with a roller.

Circa mid-century, this necklace is exquisitely hand-wrought by noted Taxco silversmith Beto. Deeply carved swirling silver panels alternate with polished half-cylinder shaped amethysts. The stones are gorgeous, with natural inclusions and quartz marbling. Measures 15" closed, wearable length. Weight is 52.7 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Beto 925 Taxco GRO Sterling Hecho en Mexico". In excellent vintage condition. Clasp is tight and secure.

Offered on consignment... Circa mid-century, here is a large stunning amethyst ring which I believe is from Mexico. It is unmarked. Tested to be 940 silver, so greater than sterling 925. It is a magnificent ring, reminiscent of the work of Fred Davis and Abraham Paz. The amethyst is a gorgeous old stone with quartz marbling, natural inclusions, and lots of character. The stone is free of any flea bites, cracks, or chips. The split shank band has never been sized, and it's measures 7.5 on a...

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 ...

Offered on consignment......... Circa mid-century, this bracelet is the work of Reveriano Castillo, who shop was called "Reveri". Reveriano began as an apprentice with William Spratling at Taller de Las Delicias in 1934, later working for Hector Aguilar at Taller Borda. He opened his own shop in 1952. This bracelet is composed of eight panels, each with a deeply incised modernist design, oxidized recessed, and silver ball in the center. Closure is a tight and secure tongue in box. Origi...

A contemporary of Matilde Poulat's, maestro M. Velazquez also worked in Mexico City and created jewelry primarily in the repousse style associated with the capital and Matl, its most famous practitioner. Velazquez was a true master of his art - his jewelry is bold and his repoussage confident, sculptural and nicely finished. The inspiration for the fish brooch at hand was obviously an ancient Maya or Aztec glyph or carving. The hand-hammered body is here deeply etched for detail and subsequently...

Wonderful Staret piece! Square rhinestones of various sizes set in silver color metal, clear and sparkling, every single one. Heavy and chunky. Stamped Staret on the back. 3 3/4" wide, 1 7/8" high. Great reminder of the 1940's.

Often referred to as the "Spratling of Peru", Italian-born Graziella Laffi came to be associated with the country's most innovative design in jewelry and hollowware in the 1950s. Just like Spratling did in Mexico, Laffi turned to Peru's rich archeological past and its vibrant folk culture for inspiration. Her re-interpretations of ancient Inca motifs in silver, copper and enamel are avidly sought after by collectors today for their creative spirit and exceptional craftsmanship. The long dangle e...

These unique Earrings by Antonio Pineda are a great example of the imaginative designs he is know for. The earring resemble an Arrow open at the center which slip between the front and back of your earlobe so when worn it appears that the top of the arrow is piercing your ear and exiting at the bottom. They measure 1 1/2" long and each is marked with the Antonio Taxco Crown Mark. In good condition with light wear - the backs are a bit out of shape - and they have some light tarnish. The screw b...

A fine pair of modernist sterling silver cufflinks featuring South Sea black pearls by Ted Lowy. The pearls have dark gray body color with very pronounced and desirable peacock overtones in rose, green and purple. The backs are marked “Sterling/Ted Lowy”. Lowy was active in South Orange, NJ during the 1960’s and 70’s. He is still living, now aged 93. He was not especially prolific and his pieces rarely come on the market. He exhibited at New York’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design M...

Fabulous 1960s or 1970s big glass beaded necklace with jewel tone art glass beads, most likely French. Also from the same estate, coordinating pierced earrings with black and white glass cabochons which are very similar to the black and white embedded in some of the beads on the necklace. There is a silvertone bead at the back that looks like a French style screw barrel clasp, but it appears to be a faux decorative clasp. It is not needed as the necklace is long enough to go over the head easily...

A lovely, delicate 10K white gold filigree ring set with a buff-cut amethyst. Buff-cut stones are somewhat uncommon with their smooth domed tops and faceted bottoms, but were popular in the Edwardian era. The shank is marked "10K."

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, minute surface wear to stone visible under 10x magnification; sharp details on setting. Dimensions: crown, 1/2" x 7/8". Finger Size: 5-1/2. Weight: 2.3 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 3.0 cts.

Very much in the style associated with Matilde Poulat and often referred to as "Mexico City repousse" this sweet little silver "serpent scales" bracelet is adorned with an amethyst cabochon in its central station. An early example of this "school", it is an honest attempt to emulate the "grand dame" of Mexican silver jewelry albeit in a more demure, smaller scale than most of Matl's work. I like to think of its maker as a young apprentice, impressed by Poulat's genius, patiently working on impro...

Unique cone shaped deep Black Onyx stones are set along a swirl of smaller silver cones to create these fantastic modernist earrings in a style known as "Gladiator". Beautifully designed the bottom end of the earring curves slightly under your ear lobe. They measure 1" long by 3/4" wide and together they weigh 15.4 grams. Hallmarked Hecho en Mexico with the eagle stamp on one earring and 970 with the Antonio Taxco Crown on the other. They are in good condition with no signs of damage or repair ...

Beautiful dimensional bracelet with repousse work in pre-Columbian style motifs. Circa 1940. Marked STERLING 925 TAXCO MEX and signed CP or OP. It weighs 51 grams. This piece and most of the other Mexican silver I have listed came from one long time collector's estate. 3 3/4 inches wide in front and with a wearable length (when the edges meet) of 6 1/2 inches. Overall excellent condition. The tips of the longest "fronds" have some very slight unevenness which is most likely from the ...

Big statement vintage 1960s mixed metals copper with brass appliques and green onyx stones hinged bangle bracelet by Mexican maker Casa Maya. Marked MAYA MEXICO. With pin closure. The copper has a darkened decorative finish. The green cylindrical stones are held with bolts. 2 1/8 inches wide and 7 inches inside circumference. The inside diameters are 2 3/8 and 2 1/8 inches. The outside is in excellent condition; the inside has wear and scratching but this does not show when the piece...

A handsome pair of silver double-sided cufflinks in the form of horseshoes. The faces are nicely detailed and the cufflinks have good weight. The connectors are marked "935", indicating a purity slightly higher than sterling silver, and also have an unidentified maker's mark "MV."

• Origin: Continental Europe, probably Switzerland, ca 1950.
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: faces, 5/8" x 5/8".
• Weight: 8.5 grams.

This Victorian revival sterling silver cuff is elaborately decorated with repousse flowers and leaves, with a scrolled reserve at each end. It was made by Kirk & Son of Baltimore, MD, as part of a line of 19th-century-inspired jewelry, some made of pewter. This is one of the larger and more elaborate designs. The sterling and maker’s marks are inside the bracelet. Circumference is about 8 inches, including the 1/2-inch opening; the bracelet is slightly over 1 1/4 inches wide. Weight: 41.8 gram...

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade and when it hands you an orphan cuff link, you have it converted into a ring. I have always been very partial to pieces of jewelry that would normally come in pairs but lost their partner over the course of their adventurous life. Conversions, though a dedicated, purist collector’s nightmare, are to me a welcome way of prolonging the journey of an otherwise shunned piece by providing it with a new purpose, a new opportunity to be enjoyed and admire...