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...

Stunning deeply carved bangle in cherry red. Circa 1940. Tests positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. From a collection. Standard 2 1/2 inches inside diameter, 7/8 inch wide, and 3/8 inch thick. Excellent condition. It is a bit dusty; I have brushed it but have not cleaned it further so as not to disturb the oxidized finish. Photos enlarged to show detail.

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...

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...

Stunning rare true black Bakelite clamper with a carved bow in the center, accented with engraved brass decoration. Tests positive for Bakelite and true black in that it has not oxidized to black from another color. Circa 1940. Guaranteed vintage and original. 1 1/4 inches wide at center, 6 3/8 inches inside circumference and inside diameters are 2 7/16 and 1 3/4 inches. Excellent condition. Spring is tight. Photos enlarged to show detail. Display form is lifesize.

Picasso-style sterling face ring by BILL TENDLER, c.1950's. Features are applied shiny silver on oval oxydized face with shiny silver outline. Features and outline stand out over lower face. Measures 7/8" long by 11/16" wide and is size 6. Band measures 1/4" wide. Excellent condition.......$12 for insured USA shipping. NYS residents pay sales tax.

A rare mixed material Art Deco necklace made in the 1930s or 1940s. Condition: excellent. 46cm (18 inches) long

Beautiful glowing marbled tequila sunrise bangle in the popular rope pattern. The color is much better than the photos. Circa 1940. Tests positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. From a collection. Standard 2 1/2 inches inside diameter, 1/2 inch wide, and 3/8 inch thick. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

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"...

$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.

Fabulous group of very similarly carved tube shaped Bakelite bangles, two in slightly different greens, one in rust, and one in milk chocolate. Circa 1940. All test positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. All are from the same collection. They make a stunning statement worn together. All are standard 2 1/2 inches inside diameter, 3/8 inch wide and 3/8 inch thick. All are in excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

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...

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...

With hallmarks dating 1940-1945, this spectacular bracelet is a very rare and early creation from Los Castillo. It's a huge showpiece, with six rectangular faceted amethyst gemstone surrounded by tiny silver beading. The amethysts are great old Mexican stones, well matched in color, with quartz marbling and natural inclusions. Measures a closed, wearable length of 6 1/2", with a width of 1 9/16"...

An early Taxco treasure, this Mexican Deco cuff bracelet is both generous in weight and wrought in fine, .980 silver. The design is classic for the period and I have seen all-silver versions of it over the years by anonymous and recognizable names, that of Emma and La Cucaracha being among the most famous. The marriage of silver and copper that we are treated to here, however, I have never encountered before...

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...

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...

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...

This sterling silver necklace was designed and signed (c.1940) by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). The pendant measures 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" and can be worn as a brooch by easily detaching the 20" long sterling silver chain. The pendant with chain weighs 110 grams. Both silver and the beautiful amethyst stones are in excellent condition. Shown and described on spratlingsilver.com. Also pictured in SPRATLING SILVER: A FIELD GUIDE by Phyllis Goddard and in MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Mor...

This is a very rare bracelet from Los Castillo, executed in 980 silver. One of their earliest pieces before they added design numbers with their hallmark. At the center is a huge gorgeous amethyst cabochon, bezel set and surrounded by tiny beading. Three strands of silver beads attach to each side, wrapping around the wrist to close with a tongue in box clasp topped with an amethyst cabochon. This is an extremely flattering bracelet. It looks absolutely stunning on the wrist. The amethyst ...

Offered on consignment.....

This pre-1948 bracelet is a huge, wide, weighty piece and a Fred Davis design. It's unsigned, marked simply "Silver Mexico".

The panels have a geometric design inspired by pre-Columbian clay stamps which Davis collected. You can see a similar Fred Davis bracelet with amethysts in my shop.

Bracelet measures a closed, wearable length of 7", with a width of 2 1/8".

Weight is 104.9 grams.

In excellent vintage condi...

This very early bracelet displays wonderful artistry with each large and ornate link. It is extremely well crafted. The curves and the design of this heavy gauge silver bracelet are wonderful. Each link is slightly convex, adorned with a vivid, turquoise cabochon (each with different greens, blues and browns forming beautiful matrixes). The bracelet measures 7 5/8" x 1 5/8". The hook clasp is marked "SILVER MADE IN MEXICO." This fabulous bracelet weighs 90 grams and is in excellent conditi...

Circa 1930's to early 1940's, this is a dramatic necklace from Mexico City silversmith JGD, one of several artisans in this early era who produced this type of folk art jewelry. Composed of eighteen panels, each with a faceted amethyst and fourteen turquoise cabochons. Length is 17", width is 1 1/2". Weight is 183.9 grams. Signed and hallmarked "JGD Hecho en Mexico D.F. 925". In fine vintage condition.

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....

Circa 1940's, this large brooch is said to be named after Spratling's parrot "Lorenzo". It's a huge and spectacular pin, measuring 4 1/2" tall and 1 3/16" wide, with a weight of 49.4 grams.

This left facing parrot has a 1 1/2" long amethyst body and exquisite repoussé silver work. Pin closes with a roller. All original and collector quality.

It's a published bookpiece, shown on p. 38 of "Mexican Silver", as well as on the spine of the dust cover. Also shown on p. 46 ...

Circa 1940's, here is a huge conical amethyst ring from Hubert Harmon. An absolutely spectacular ring, one which instantly commands attention. It's a published book-piece, shown on page 190 of "Silver Masters of Mexico". The amethyst rises to almost 7/8" above the finger, and is surrounded by silver beading. The ring is adjustable, currently at a size 8. Weight is 23.2 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Hubert Harmon Sterling Mexico". Collector quality.

An early Los Castillo design and very much in keeping with the 1940s' love for sweeping flourishes this set of earrings, carefully hand-cut, overlaid and oxidized will add just the right amount of festive spirit to your outfit. Bold and confident, the swirls seem to twist upon themselves in excitement and then reach high up for the skies with abandonment. Got to love the Los Castillo and the myriad ways in which they still make our day. The earrings measure 1 3/4" tall by 3/4" wide and weigh 12....

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...

Hallmarks date this Hector Aguilar cuff 1943-1948.

Measures 2 3/4" wide at the ends, inside edge to edge at the center is 5 3/4", gap is 1 5/8" at the center, 1 5/16" at the ends.

Weight is 114.6 grams.

Twenty-seven turquoise cabs are set in three rows.

Should fit up to a 6 7/8" wrist. A jeweler can gently adjust this so that it will fit a smaller or larger wrist.

Signed and hallmarked "HA Made in Mexico Sterling".

In excellen...

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. Measuring an impressive 2” long by 1” wide the earrings weigh 20.6 grams (for th...

Circa 1930's - early 1940's, this Mexico City moth necklace was produced by M. Velazquez.

It's a magnificent piece with absolutely superb repoussé silver work. This silversmith's work is seldom seen and quite sought after, and this necklace is quite the showpiece.

Measures 19" interior end to end, which is also the closed, wearable length. The center link is 1 1/2" tall. I believe the clasp is original to the piece. It's identical to another M. Velazquez necklace I had ...

With hallmarks dating 1940-1944, this William Spratling bracelet is from his first design period.

Composed of three rows of elongated silver beads with a foldover clasp, this is a weighty bracelet which tests out at 980, or 98% silver purity. It's a very elegant, classy, and substantial piece, and it wears beautifully with a silky and luxurious feel on the wrist.

Measures 8" long, with a closed, wearable length of 7 1/2" and a width of 15'16".

Weight is 77.2 gram...

"Mask" jewelry is not a rarity in the world of vintage Mexican silver yet the portrayals are almost always of ancient, Mesoamerican faces. And even though I am a very big fan of them as long as both the carving and the setting is interesting, I am thrilled to be presenting here a big brooch by A. Tobias housing the portrait of a more "contemporary" man. There is something in this "mask" that screams "Roman" to me and I know the typology might not even justify it but that was my initial reaction ...

Circa pre-1948, this is a gorgeous bracelet from Fred Davis. It's a modernist design, with exquisite repoussé silver work.

Six turquoise cabochons are nestled within opposing silver "V"s which form diamond shaped panels, tiny silver beads between them. Alternating with these panels are large silver domes. Closure is a tight and secure tongue in box. Recesses are oxidized. This is a bracelet which really shows up beautifully on the wrist.

Measures a closed, wearable length...

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. I have had a few pieces by Gage over the years - she does not seem to...

Spratling designed this stunning sterling silver piece during a period of time when he worked to develop a plan modeled on what he had done in Taxco, to help create an economic base for native Alaskans writes Penny Morrill in her book WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENASSIANCE p.239. Inlaid with azur-malachite the pendant measures 4" X 3". The necklace is 18" long. Signed SPRATLING DE MEXICO & Eagle 13, hallmarks used by Spratling from 1949-51. All in beautiful condition. Pictured in M...

Circa 1941-1950, this extremely rare Antonio Pineda pin is a book-piece shown on p. 89 of Silver Seduction: The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda.

Measuring 3 1/8" tall, this pin has stunning detail and is exquisitely crafted. The center fuchsia flower dangles freely. As such, the pin can be worn at various angles to create different looks.

Weight is 37.6 grams.

Signed and hallmarked with the early "AP" mark along with "Silver Mexico" and the design # PR309...

Dating early 1940's, this is a rarely seen Los Castillo necklace. Likely a Margot design, as she was married to Antonio Castillo at that time. It's a gorgeous piece, with the centerpiece measuring 4 5/8" across, 3" tall. Lays perfectly on the neck, and looks spectactular on. Closed, wearable length is 16". Weight is 92.6 grams. Collector quality, with no issues whatsoever. Excellent in every way.

Hallmarks date this piece 1940-1944. This is a stunning hand-wrought cuff bracelet produced by William Spratling during his first design period. This is a design which is seldom seen. This design is shown on the spratlingsilver website. Open-backed repoussé triple lines are set at diagonal angles to each other, with tiny silver beads on both top and bottom. The ends have three large silver balls. Recesses are oxidized giving a beautiful depth.

Signed and hallmarked with the WS Pri...

Fabulous vintage glass beaded necklace with color changing alexandrite lead crystal glass beads and tiny clear glass spacer beads. Circa 1940. With a beautiful geometric Art Deco pave diamante slide clasp in silvertone metal. From a Baltimore estate and I also have listed several 1940s signed pins and clips from this same estate. The color is a pinkish lavender in natural light, and a pale aqua in white artificial light. Both colors are more intense than the photos depict.

Wearab...

Circa pre-1948, this coiled snake necklace is the early work of "CEL". I seldom come across pieces by this artisan, but the few I have had are all in the same folk art style of Matilde Poulat, as is this design. Like produced in Mexico City, this necklace is in superb vintage condition.

Composed of alternating spiral and coiled links, the closure is a turquoise jeweled snake head and tail which joins together. You can wear it with the snake at center front, or on the side. Both ways l...

An elaborate sterling silver knot hanging off a classic repousse semi-sphere takes center-stage in this set of vintage Mexican dangle earrings by renowned Taxco maestro Pedro Castillo. I love Pedro Castillo's work for its complexity and layering and the modernist twist it adds to motifs derived from Mexico's rich cultural past. And even though these beauties are of medium length, they do pack a strong visual punch with their strategically applied oxidation and the warm patina they have developed...

Circa 1940-1945, this is a heavy solid 940 silver bracelet from Hector Aguilar. It's an iconic early design, known as "Fertility". A book piece design, it's shown in the Morrill/Berk book "Silver Masters of Mexico", as well as "Mexican Silver". Executed in 94% pure silver, it's entirely hand-wrought, with deeply incised links and oxidized recesses. Measures a closed, wearable length of 6 3/4", with a width of 15/16". Closure is a pin on a chain. Weight is 99.5 grams. Signed and h...

Circa 1930's, this Fred Davis pin is very striking, with a design which I've not seen previously. The craftsmanship is superb with exquisite repoussé silver work. Measures 2 11/16" tall, 2" wide. Weight is 25.3 grams. Signed and hallmarked with a conjoined FD Made in Mexico Silver. In excellent vintage condition. Pin closes with a simple early spiral C clasp, and is very secure.

Circa 1940-1945, here is a superb hand-wrought necklace produced by Ana María Nünez de Brilanti, whose work is known as "Victoria". Brilanti opened her shop in Taxco in 1940, and named her shop Plateria Victoria, after her daughter. Brilanti is well known for her original designs and excellent craftsmanship, and this necklace is one of her earliest works. It's a book-piece design, shown on page 103 in "William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance", and referred to as "Curling Feathers"...

Fabulous vintage very long necklace of carved round creamy white or celadon jade beads graduating from 8 mm to 13 mm at the center. With original silver screw clasp. Circa 1940. Possibly Chinese. The beads have a slightly matte finish. Very weighty at 198 grams. It has been professionally restrung on very fine silvertone fabric covered soft flexible wire. 48 inches long and 1/2 inch wide at center bead. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail. ...

Hallmarks date 1940-1944 on the superb William Spratling bracelet from his first design period. Tested to be 980, or 98% pure silver.

This is a heavy, gorgeous, luxurious bracelet which looks and feels amazing on the wrist. It's an extra large size, measuring a closed, wearable length of 7 1/2" and a width of 7/8".

Weight is 116.6 grams.

Signed and hallmarked with the WS Print Circle "WS Spratling Made in Mexico", and "Spratling Silver".

In ex...

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 ...

This lovely stanhope (in silver tone) measures 1 1/2" x just under 1". The viewer shows a woman in prayer and has The Lord's Prayer in full. The view is excellent: extremely clear and legible. The cross is decorated with pave-set, colorless rhinestones (some minor yellowing to rhinestones). Also in the viewer it reads MADE IN FRANCE.

Generously long and imposing in its presence, this early Mexican Deco silver, copper and stone necklace with cascabeles is a great example of the way ancient Mesoamerican artifacts found their way into jewelry created during the country's 20th c. Silver Renaissance. Statuettes, clay "masks", beads of stone and silver, carved pieces of bone were unearthed on a daily basis in Mexico's countryside either by accident as people worked the land or as a result of deliberate "digging" to find them. Many...

A Mexican version of the classic "giardinetto" jewelry, this set of Matilde Poulat earrings is rather unusual with its all-silver vase that holds the flowers. All tell-tale characteristics of Matl's creativity are here though: the silver has a hand-hammered texture, the wire-work with its tiny beading surrounds the vase like an undulating silk ribbon, there are small round dangles hanging off each earring's bottom and, last but not least, we have intense splashes of color from the coral and turq...

Beautifully designed and crafted, this early vintage bracelet features gorgeous Turquoise stones in both oval and round shapes set in thick heavy silver links. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown mark, Silver Made in Mexico, ZZ555 and the eagle 17. Measures 6 1/2" long by 1" wide and is a hefty 71.4 grams. Secure clasp and safety chain. A stunning and seldom seen bracelet.

Bold, colorful and generously long this vintage Mexican chain necklace is signed by Cecilia and Tono, one of Taxco's most successful duos. The combination of chunky amethyst, slender sterling tubes and lozenge stations embellished with azur-malachite inlay is undoubtedly eye-catching and I love the irregular shape of the stone beads which underscores their hand-cut quality. Wear it alone or combine it with similar pieces, the result will be stunning either way. The necklace measures 31 1/4" lon...

One of the most interesting - and few - female figures of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance, Doris Smith Chamberlin was a Texas-born American who decided to move to Mexico in the 1940s to open her own workshop after having completed post-graduate studies in art and having taught woodworking, textile-making and silver-smithing for a few years in California (I am grateful to Decotini for the information). In Mexico City, where she settled, she created and sold her own designs but also commission...

Circa 1940-1945, this stunning and iconic belt from Hector Aguilar is known as the "Georgia O'Keefe" belt. A photo of O'Keefe wearing this belt is shown on page 108 of "Silver Masters of Mexico". Page 107 , bookplate III-24, shows this belt as "Large X's with One Button Belt".

There are different versions of this belt. This one is the largest, with a width of a full 2" for the leather, 2 3/8" at the buckle. Four "X's" measure 3 1/2" wide, 2 1/4" tall. Length is 32" for the suede/leath...

Circa 1930's - 1940's, this bracelet is a stunner. Hallmarked simply "Silver Made in 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. Closure is a tight and secure tongue in box.

Weight is 78 grams.

Closed, wea...

This is an excellent example of the Mexican Silver Renaissance with chrysoprase stones. The bracelet is 7.25in. long and 2.25in. tall. The cut work is without flaws and exhibits a strong presence on the arm. The weight is 84 grams. The necklace is outstanding. The drops are 2.25 in. tall and has a wearable length of approximately 16in. With the necklace built on a curve where the drops are you can not lay it exactly straight for measurement. The weight is 88 grams heavy. There are no chips or cr...

Offered on consignment....

Dating 1930's - early 40's, this Fred Davis bracelet feels silky and luxurious on the wrist and is a superb example of his work.

Panels of four amethyst cabs and tiny beading alternate with angled silver cylinders, joined top and bottom by double ribbed connectors. Forty eight amethyst gemstones in total, it's an intricate piece, exquisitely executed, and it is collector quality. There is a beautiful patina throughout. Closure is a tight and s...

A very rarely seen necklace from his first design period, shown on both the Spratling Silver website and as a published book-piece in the Morrill/Berk book "Mexican Silver", here is William Spratling's "Long Amethyst Caviar Necklace". It's a very versatile piece - wear it long in a single strand, double it up, or wear it as a belt. This is an absolutely spectacular necklace. Wear it with the amethyst at the bottom, or on the side. Equally magnificent.

Weight is 8.39 troy ounces, or 26...

This fine piece is beautiful with its pave-set, clear rhinestones, accented by oval (diamond) shaped, faceted stones. It is both a brooch and a pair of shoe clips. It measures 2 5/8" x 1 5/8". The frame is marked Coro Duette in script and PAT No 1798867. The actual clips are marked PAT 1852188. It is in excellent condition.