Circa 1940-1945, this pin was produced by Los Castillo. It's an early piece which was designed by Margot van Voorhies Carr / Margot de Taxco. This is a superbly crafted piece, showing a koi fish swimming atop a blue glass stone which is filled with bubbles...

Circa 1940-1945, this early Los Castillo necklace is a very rare design with the centerpiece. Collector quality. Twenty-six winged repoussé links with a center floral panel make this a standout necklace. Likely a Margot de Taxco / Margot van Voorhies Carr creation, as Margot was married to Antonio Castillo during the early years of Los Castillo, and designed for them. Measures a closed, wearable length of 17 1/2". The winged panels are 1 3/8" wide...

This rare and beautiful bracelet by the famous Matilde Poulat features two silver repousse Doves at the center set with Turquoise, Coral and Amethyst stones with side links set with small Turquoise. Measures 7" long by 2" wide at the front and weighs 78.1 grams. Early hallmark of MATL in script with Hecho en Mexico, 0.925. It has not been polished and shows age related tarnish. A superb bracelet and a rare find.

Superbly crafted, profusely decorated and visually powerful this early Mexico City repousse figural brooch is an a rather rare example of vermeil silver jewelry from the country's 20th c. Silver Renaissance. I will admit that I am not particularly fond of vermeil - I love the look and feel of aged silver without "enhancements" that make it look like something it is actually not. Yet there are those very very scarce moments when a piece like this shows up and it makes me reconsider...

Maestro Damaso Gallegos was for years associated in my mind with the Mexican Deco "Christmas jewelry” tradition. His “holly and bells” as well as “bow and bells” designs are a classic way to celebrate the coming of the holiday season yet in the last couple of years I keep stumbling upon totally unexpected pieces by him. The massive, early Taxco combination pin / pendant with the carved stone “mask” at hand is crafted in high purity, .980 silver with overlay, beading and oxidation...

A lovely 18K yellow gold, diamond and ruby 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 a love poem written by Rosemonde Gérard to her husband Edmond Rostand (author of “Cyrano de Bergerac”) in 1889...

This spectacular ring produced by Fred Davis is a very rare piece. Hand-wrought with superb repoussé silverwork and a huge oval amethyst gemstone, it's a ring which will not fail to be noticed. Measures about 6.375 on a ring sizer. The face measures 1 3/16" north to south. The stone is gorgeous, with quartz marbling and natural inclusions. Setting has four forked prongs. Signed and hallmarked with a conjoined FD and Mexico Silver...

Hallmarks date this Hector Aguilar necklace pre-1948. Detachable pendant is original to the V chain, and this piece is collector quality. A book piece in "Silver Masters of Mexico", there shown with an amethyst pendant. The pendant here is a dense green stone with swirls of various hues - absolutely gorgeous. Measures 15 1/2" without the tongue portion of the clasp. Pendant is 1 1/2" x 1 1/4". Signed and hallmarked on both chain and pendant with the conjoined HA, Taxco 940...

This is a spectacular set of necklace, pin, and earrings which were produced 1930's - early 1940's in Mexico. The design is one which originated from Fred Davis, and also one which is very seldom seen. This set does not bear the FD mark from Davis, but is simply hallmarked "Silver Made in Mexico"...

This is a fun gold tone money clip/ tie bar featuring a revolving pair of small dice mounted in the center, circa 1930"s. Size: 2 3/4" x 3/8". Very good vintage condition

Chunky heavy early modernist ring with a large faceted genuine amethyst stone. With two tiny marks on the outside of the shank. One is 800 or 900 (I can't be sure which), for silver content, and the other is a tiny hallmark or maker's mark in a cartouche. Circa 1940. Most likely European, based on the silver content and the other mark. Very well worked, with deep parallel ridges, in a great Deco/modernist design. Heavy for its size at 20 grams. Ring size 6...

The elegant style of croc cufflinks will add class to any sleeve. This vintage pair are gold plate rectangular shaped toggle backs with crocodile centers, circa 1940, unmarked. Size: 9/16" x 13/16"; Condition is very good with minor wear to gold. Camera magnification shows wear to side which in actuality is on back, not really visible to naked eye.

This beautiful necklace is pictured on page 137 of "Miriam Haskell Jewelry" by Cathy Gordon and Sheila Pamfiloff. It has seven clusters of genuine red coral spezzati, turquoise glass beads, and brass bell shaped caps, attached to a brass braided chain, with a spring ring clasp and extender chain. Each cluster has a large turquoise bead at the top, and three turquoise beads at the bottom...

Circa 1930's-early 40's, this necklace is a Fred Davis design, hallmarked simply "Silver Mexico".

It's a gorgeous piece, with large amethyst cabochons and carved malachite stones. It lays perfectly on the neck, measuring a closed, wearable length of 16 1/2". Width is 1 1/16". Amethysts measure 27mm x 20mm, with a depth of 11mm.

Weight is 87.6 grams.

In excellent vintage condition.

This majestic piece was designed & signed c. 1940's by American & Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). The necklace measures 16 1/2" long X 1 3/4" wide & weighs 226 grams. Originally strung on twine, the necklace has been professionally restrung on sterling silver fox tail chain. Each link is set with a turquoise cab. Excellent condition & patina. The necklace is secured with a slide in pin closure. This rare necklace was purchased from a NYC Park Av. estate. The design is pictured ...

An American who arrived in Mexico in the 1940s, opened her own workshop in 1945 and by 1950 employed about twenty five artisans*, Doris is one of the few female designers that we know of in the world of vintage Mexican silver jewelry. My first encounter with her creations wasn’t until a few years into my “career” as a Mexican jewelry dealer and I was immediately captivated by the exquisite design, the impeccable craftsmanship and the quality of the materials used. I have seen kept my eyes...

This medical theme vintage cufflinks are ideal for anyone in a medically related field, featuring a gold plate caduceus, the Greek mythological symbol of healing adapted in modern times as a symbol of the physician. The caduceus is centered in a mother of pearl square with a gold plate border, unmarked, Circa 1940's. Size: 5/8" ; Condition is excellent.

Hallmarks date this William Spratling brick link bracelet to 1940-1944. This design is shown on the Spratling Silver website. It's a hand-wrought bracelet which feels like silk on the wrist. Certainly a timeless design, and one which is understated in both beauty and elegance. Three rows of brick like links with a foldover clasp give this a completely seamless appearance. The silver has a rich warm glow.

Measures a closed, wearable length of 7 1/2" with a width of 3/4".

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From his first design period, with hallmarks dating 1944-1946, this cuff from William Spratling is massive and spectacular. Collector quality.

This is a book-piece design shown in "William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance" by Penny C. Morrill, where it's noted that the "Nahui Ollin", or "Four Movement" cuff bracelet replicates the glyph at the center of the carved stone Aztec Calenda. This design was included in the Spratling LACMA collection.

Massive, weighing ...

This early-mid 1940's William Spratling necklace is a magnificent showpiece. The tassel centerpiece features flawlessly inlaid azur-malachite with mesmerizing shades of blue and green. From Spratling's first design period. Measures a closed, wearable length of 20.5", with a hefty weight of 90.8 grams. The center pendant measures 3.5" wide, 2.5" tall. Signed and hallmarked with the WS Print Circle and Sterling. Fold over clasp. In excellent original vintage condition with a beautiful patin...

Circa 1940's, here is a superb pin produced by Chato Castillo. Chato Castillo apprenticed with Matilde Poulat. In the Davis/Pack book "Mexican Jewelry", it's noted that Chato's pieces are all one of a kind. He left William Spratling's Taller de Las Delicias in 1939 to help his brothers start Los Castillo. Many of his early designs were also used as prototypes for pieces later produced by Los Castillo. Measuring 5" tall, 2 1/8" wide, this pin is a sight to behold. It is beautifully crafted ...

Maestro C. Molina is one of those “enigmatic” figures of Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance. Even in Bille Hougart’s seminal work on hallmarks and makers there is minimal information about him - namely, two or three examples of the way his jewelry is hallmarked and the photos are really difficult to read. Yet I have come upon his works several times during my years of buying and selling vintage Mexican silver and our lack of information notwithstanding, I have come to appreciate the hig...

A smashing duo in the index of mid-20th century Mexican jewelry design, Cecilia and Tono have created some of the most amazing pieces. More often than not their creations are re-interpretations of ancient motifs with a modernist twist and adaptations of old techniques and materials to fit their contemporary vision. In the long chain necklace presented here hefty sterling links lend their mod geometry to silver spheres and rich azur-malachite beads that have been cut in emulation of ancient bi-co...

Bearing the signature of maestro Barrera this carefully made figural brooch depicts a richly clad person, most probably a nobleman or priest, with hands forming a very distinct gesture as if he takes part in a ritual or is performing a dance. Barrera , I suspect, worked in Mexico City, and created some impressive jewelry in the style associated with it. In the brooch at hand attention has been paid to every little detail that emphasizes the figure's high standing in society, their importance exp...

This mid-century Margot de Taxco brooch is likely one of a kind. The Victorian era high relief Greek goddess is hand-carved and exquisitely detailed. It's either hardstone or black lava, and Margot designed the silver setting expressly to fit the cameo, using a Greek motif with black enamel. Measures 2 3/8" x 2 3/16", with a weight of 35.8 grams. The Greek goddess is Eirene, and she is known as the goddess of peace and the season of spring. Signed and hallmarked "Margot de Taxco Made in Mexi...

This very fine pair of Modernist sterling silver pyramid rope form cufflinks could have come from the fashion pages of any current menswear magazine, circa 1945, toggle backs, marked on the back STERLING; Measurements: 5/8 in long x 1/4 in. wide; Excellent condition; may need cleaning.

This mid-century masterpiece is the work of Felipe Martinez, whose shop was called Piedra Y Plata.

The hand-carved and polished amethyst face is a gorgeous shade of purple and the repoussé silver work is magnificent. Earrings are obsidian. Recesses are oxidized, and the design shows great depth and dimension.

Can be worn both as a pin or pendant.

Measures 2 3/8" tall, 1 11/16" wide.

Weight is 39.1 grams.

Signed and hallmarked with...

Over the years of my career as a vintage Mexican jewelry dealer I have come to love and appreciate the "mask" pieces created by the Los Ballesteros workshop. I have to admit that this was not a "love-at-first-sight" affair. On the contrary, it took me some time to realize that prolific though they might have been, especially in the post-1980 years which witnessed a drop in creativity as well, the specific workshop excelled in the production of superb jewelry centered by carved stone effigies. Th...

$385.00 Circa pre-1948, this is a superb deco design from noted Mexican silversmith ACE. I have had this exact design with onyx stones produced by Felipe Martinez with the eagle assay. This necklace, with gorgeous red stones, is an earlier piece. Measures a closed, wearable length of 16". The centerpiece is 2 1/2" tall. Weight is 74.3 grams. Signed and hallmarked "ACE 925 Hecho en Mexico Guadalajara. In excellent vintage condition. One or two very tiny fleabites seen with a lou...

Attention all watch affeciandos! This vintage set of gold plated cufflinks is wonderful intricately designed exact replica of the traditional mechanical Elgin and Swiss watch movement. One cufflink is a 15 jewel Swiss watch movement, marked on the face HALLMARK SWISS, 15 JWLS 3 ADJ, E BLANKPAIN FILS, AR FS, the back marked 700 A. The other cufflink is an Elgin, marked Elgin U.S.A., 20664491, S F, the back stamped with the same number. Both stamped PAT PENDING. Measurements: 3/4 in diameter....

Profusely studded with the Etruscan style’s tell-tale florets this long Mexican lariat necklace was made in Cuernavaca, one of the country’s main silver-smithing centers. A rather rare jewel of the Deco period, it consists of a long strand of short barrel beads strung on flexible silver wire. Classically elegant yet with body and strong presence, the necklace has developed a deep patina over the years. I particularly love the over-sized beads it ends in that are also reflected in the clasp c...

A nice pair of sterling silver stirrup cufflinks, the ends set with black onyx sugarloaf cabochons. This style of cufflink was popularized by Cartier. The cufflinks bear Swiss import marks used until 1934 and are stamped "935", indicating that they have a slightly higher pure silver content than sterling silver.

Origin: Continental Europe, probably France, ca. 1925. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: faces, 9/16" diameter. Weight: 8.7 gr.

A fabulous fringed necklace, wearable for day or night, in sterling silver with very big glittering purple openback and unfoiled glass stones in prong settings. Circa 1935. The clasp is marked STERLING and the other elements test positive for sterling. The color is much more intense and slightly warmer than the photos depict. Huge stones, statement necklaces, and the color purple are all very significant current fashion trends. Also perfectly of the moment because it is a classic Art Deco p...

A beautiful vintage sterling necklace with brilliant rhinestones in channel settings, in flexible links with detailed engraved decoration. Circa 1930. With a slide clasp and safety chain with a spring ring catch. Marked STERLING. Substantial at 53 grams and drapes beautifully. The links are connected at the inner edge and fan open at the outer edge.

14 1/2 inches long clasped and 1/2 inch wide. Overall excellent condition. All the stones are bright with the exception of three in one lin...

A wonderful pair of Art Deco 18K yellow gold cufflinks by Ravinet d Enfert, probably retailed by Hermès. Each of the faces is crafted as a different suite in a deck of cards and is finished with red or black opaque enamel. The faces are connected with chains. Each cufflink is marked for 18K and with the maker’s mark for Ravinet d’Enfert. Like most other luxury houses, Hermès did not make their own jewelry, but retailed pieces designed and manufactured by Ravinet d’Enfert to their spe...

A 14K yellow gold and platinum flexible brickwork strap and buckle ring set with round diamonds and rubies. The buckle is fully functional, so the ring can be adjusted from size 5-3/4 to 10. The style of gem-setting, with the scalloped border, is bolder than many examples. The diamonds average I/J color and SI clarity. The rubies have nicely saturated purplish-red color. Tested and guaranteed 14K and platinum.

Origin: America, ca. 1935. Condition: excellent, all original. Dimensions: s...

Circa 1940s size 7 14K rose and white gold eternity ring with 16 diamonds set in crescent moons made of white gold, 12 rubies set in curved flowers. Hallmarked 14K, width is 9.5 mm (approximately 3/8 inch), weight is 6.7 grams. LAYAWAY AVAILABLE!

Elegant and "quiter" than most Matilde Poulat jewelry, this early repousse bracelet by the big maestra exhibits nonetheless all the attributes Matl's work is avidly sought after and venerated for. Repoussage that creates a body with impeccable texture and perfect finishing, a gorgeous golden sheen obsidian cabochon and, of course, the Mexico City style silver-work which to me represents Mexico's Arts and Crafts movement. What is there not to love here? I am very attracted to the size which allow...

Pretty 14K yellow gold locket, the front cover engraved with a floral motif centered by a 10-point round brillian cut diamond. The diamond has very nice clarity and color. The inside rim is stamped with the maker's mark "WEH 14K".

Origin: America, circa 1930. Condition: excellent, no monograms or removals. Size: 1-3/16" x 15/16". Weight: 7.0 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .1 carat.

This very early Matl / Matilde Poulat pendant is a rare find. Dating 1930's - 1940, this pendant is studded with turquoise and branch coral, with gorgeous birds and kneeling angels holding turquoise tipped candles. Measures just over 3" from top of bail to bottom, width is 2". A nice heft at 28.5 grams. Signed and hallmarked "MATL 0.980". Collector quality.

Jewelry hosting carved stone hearts in silver settings was very popular in the Mexican Deco period. Teased out of jasper and agate and oftentimes even dyed calcite, the hearts are unfailingly curvaceous as if pulsing with life, their sculpturality shamelessly inviting the touch. The carvings usually dominate the piece with the silver-work providing discreet framing and even though the motif was taken up again in the post-1980 period, the later examples lack the vivacity of the old pieces. Here i...

It looks like this is a Matl year for One Good Eye Silver and I couldn't be happier about it! A few months ago I presented a Deco Matilde Poulat cross pendant necklace with kneeling angels and today I am featuring another, possibly earlier, variation of the design but this one wrought in fine, .980 silver. There are some additional motifs to the candle-holding celestial beings and the "jewels" in the pendant at hand - the cross is flanked by repousse little doves fluttering above its two arms an...

Stunning early vintage butterscotch egg yolk amber necklace with 42 matched large round beads hand knotted with matching amber silk thread, and with goldtone spring ring clasp. It weighs 58 grams. 1930s, all original. The beads are variegated in color and range from opaque to semi translucent, with great markings. 24 inches wearable length and the beads range from 12mm to 13mm or 1/2 inch wide. Excellent vintage condition with some slight crazing on some beads and some naturally occurring openin...

A whopper of a bracelet, this early Taxco Deco beauty was wrought in fine, 980 silver and has still evident the Spanish Colonial influence in its design. Bold yet simple in its constitutive motifs, the silver-work is made up of three massive curved links that are adorned with traditional wire appliques and a touch of deliberate oxidation. It is the stones that center each one of those links, however, that are the pieces-de-resistance here! Two huge amethyst cabochons, with saturated color and ri...

Beautiful vintage 1930s bib necklace in dark goldtone metal with festooned chains with solid metal drops with a cross hatched design, with hook clasp. Most likely French, based on quality and construction. Substantial and very well made. No missing elements. 18 1/2 inches wearable length and the center drops about 1 5/8 inches. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

A superb pair of double-sided Art Deco silver cufflinks by E. Besseire & Cie. The hexagonal faces are decorated with red, green and black blocks of opaque champlevé enamels highlighted with silver shield-shaped and squiggle accents. The faces are connected bychains. The backs of each face are marked with Besseire’s maker’s mark and with assay marks for silver.

Origin: France, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent; no enamel damage (the green enamel has some porosity visible under magnificati...

Great carved Bakelite fish with painted eye and lucite fin. Thick and heavy for its size. 3 1/8" wide, 3 1/8" high.

This necklace has an early design period made by William Spratling at the beginning of the Mexican Silver Renaissance. Also the necklace boasts a roomy 16.75 inches of wearable length. The amethyst stone is 1.25 inches in diameter. The stone has milky swirl and gives the look of a partial moon. A very nice appeal to the design. The drop is 4.75 inches across and lays perfectly on the neck. Please contact me for additional information on this necklace. Made with thick silver for a treasure to la...

Stunning 1930s Art Deco riviere necklace in silvertone metal with large brilliant bezel set openback faceted glass crystal stones. Marked GERMANY. The stones are held by prongs at the front. The backs of the bezels are decorated with a finely detailed flower form motif. The stones have pointed backs. Spring ring clasp. Wearable length is 16 1/2 inches and the stones and settings are 7/16 inch or 12mm. Excellent condition. Some tiny flea bites on some stones; most are only visible with a loupe. D...

A simply stunning vintage Necklace by Los Castillo featuring heavy sterling repousse work in a outstanding foliate design. Measures 15 1/2" long, 1" wide, and weighs a heavy 124.5 grams. With the early linear mark of Los Castillo, Taxco, Sterling, Mexico, 116. Hook closure. Lovely deep patina that beautifully highlights the exceptional repousse work. This necklace is a true beauty!

An interesting pair of American sterling silver Art Deco cufflinks, each face featuring a stylized leaf. The design has a deeply three-dimensional sculptural quality. The design appears to be in the Skonvirke style--the Scandinavian expression of Art Nouveau, but the cufflinks are definitely American. The back of each face is signed "NAE" or "MAE" and the toggles are marked "Sterling".

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Dimensions: 13/16" diameter. Weight: 12....

This Matilde Poulat necklace bears her earliest block hallmark "Matl", and dates 1934-1940. It's a rare and beautiful piece, and it's also collector quality. Exquisitely hand-wrought, and it lays perfectly on the neck. A wonderful necklace which can be worn easily with any outfit and occasion. Measures 16" closed, wearable length. Width is 3/4". Weight is 69.7 grams. In excellent vintage condition with absolutely no issues whatsoever.

A heavy and attractive pair of 14K yellow gold Art Deco cufflinks in the flip-up style. The round faces are decorated with engraved lines in a herringbone pattern. After being inserted in the button hole, the ends are flipped up to secure the cuff. This style is rather uncommon in cufflinks from North America, being much more prevalent in French cufflinks from the period. The connectors are signed by Birks and are marked “14Kt”.

Origin: Canada, ca. 1925. Condition: excellent. Size: f...

Bird doll motif. Pre assay era Made in Mexico bird pin brooch. Early - tested at least sterling - colossal 4 3/4" north to south with 2 turquoise beads. This figural exhibits flowers in the style of Fred Davis or Matilde Poulat. Repousse and chase workmanship.
The native peoples were known to make dolls representing the local animals for their children to play. Today those same children are being taught the value in Nature Tourism.

This Quetzal bird parrot pin is stamped: SILVER...

Beautiful sterling articulated necklace with many glittering crystal round and baguette stones and a pendant with a huge brilliant peridot green glass openback and unfoiled stone. Marked OTIS STERLING. Circa 1940. Substantial at 49 grams. The green color is much more intense than the photos depict.

A classic collectible Art Deco piece, and currently perfectly of the moment as well. The fashion world is in the midst of a major Art Deco revival, with top houses such as Marc Jacobs, Lanvin...

Beautiful unusual vintage 1930s Art Deco necklace with multi color beads wired in dark goldtone metal, in a bib design. With large opaque cube shaped black beads, and small faceted transparent beads in green, pink, red, aqua, pale blue, and yellow, arranged in single drops and in sprays of four. A fabulous little statement. 15 1/2 inches wearable length and 1 1/4 inches wide. Excellent condition. No missing elements. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

An exceptional and extremely rare 14K yellow gold and green tourmaline ring by Edward Everett Oakes. The shank is fashioned as serrated leaves that gradually open to enclose a prong-set round brilliant-cut green tourmaline at the crown. The tourmaline is graded as medium dark, strong, lightly yellowish Green (slyG 6/6); excellent cut; and Type I eye-clean clarity.

Edward Everett Oakes (1891-1960) was perhaps the foremost Arts & Crafts jeweler in America. He was a member (and medallist) of the ...

a vintage 1930s sterling silver hand engraved heart photo locket on chain c1930s. This 1-1/4 x 1-1/8" locket has fine hand engraving on the front (the back is undecorated), and it has two retaining bezels with celluloid windows. The 19-1/2" link chain has a hook and eye clasp, each piece is stamped STERLING, and this necklace weighs 14.6 grams and it is in excellent condition with no monograms, dents, bends, corrosion, losses, damage or repairs. All items are thoroughly and conservatively gra...

An especially good quality 18K yellow gold band engraved with swirling vines, alternating leaves set with round brilliant-cut diamonds. The diamonds are H/I color and VS1 clarity. The engraving is very nicely worked. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Dimensions: 5/32” wide. Finger Size: 8. Weight: 6.2 gr. Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .25 ct.

A handsome pair of Art Deco 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the faces set with oval cabochons of pale greenish-blue tourmaline. The stones' color, resembling aquamarine, is most unusual for tourmaline. The backs are marked "14K."

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: faces, 3/4" x 5/8". Weight: 12.5 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 6.8 cts.