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...

Circa 1930's - 1940's, this early Mexican necklace is an absolute work of art. Signed and hallmarked "Ingrid's Silver". Ingrid's was a shop which retailed silver and hollowware from various silversmiths, among them Jorge "Chato" Castillo. This necklace pulls out all the stops. It's a fabulous modernist/deco design, composed of alternating cylinders of amethyst and sterling silver. The center silver cylinder measures 1 13/16" x 7/8", with a depth of 5/8". The silver panels graduate in size...

This hand-wrought Mexican necklace dates to pre-1948,

It's an exquisite piece with highly detailed silver work, and it looks beautiful on. Measuring 36" in length, the two sides can clip together about 4" from each end.

Signed and hallmarked on the bottom of each ball "S.D. Hecho en Mexico 0.925".

Weight is 80.5 grams.

In excellent vintage condition.

Dating in the first period of the Los Ballesteros workshop but after their 1941 move from Iguala to Taxco, this combination pin / pendant is an "archaeologically inspired" piece. A multitude of techniques come together in the creation of the figural scene that dominates here. Azur malachite inlay provides the canvas within which the combined copper and silver praying (?) figure is laid in...

Offered on consignment.......

This masterpiece from Fred Davis is heavy and spectacular, with five huge oval amethyst cabochons framed within silver with a geometric design inspired by pre-Columbian clay stamps which he collected. This bracelet is a book-piece design, shown in "Dreaming In Silver" by Penny C. Morrill, p. 69.

The amethyst gemstone measure 1 1/2" x 3/4"...

Circa 1940's, this bracelet was produced by Hector Aguilar for Coro at the Taller Borda.

In 1943, Hector Aguilar formed a financial partnership with Gerald Rosenberger, the owner of Coro, to design and produce jewelry at the Taller Borda. This partnership was dissolved by 1950.

The bullet bracelet is one of the most elusive and iconic designs produced by Hector Aguilar...

Circa 1930's-40's, this hand-wrought necklace is hallmarked with a simple early mark "Silver Mexico". I have previously had the identical design which was produced by Rafael Dominguez, as well I've seen it with the Antonio Pineda early mark. Twenty-seven lyre shaped panels are linked together with rectangular connectors topped with a copper bead set in the center of two silver beads. The looped hook closure is topped with four beads, copper alternating with silver...

Fred Davis was often daring with his designs using size for the jewels presence. This one is 2 1/8th inches tall and a depth of .25 inches. The length is 9 inches but has a wearable of 6.5 inches. The stones are without damage and set into their rows like peas in a pod. There are no dents to the saucer shaped beads. There is a natural patina and you will see some patina scattered about and on the ends of the handmade beads. Exceedingly rare and built for attention at 212 grams of thick silver...

Circa 1930's-1940's, this necklace from Fred Davis is nothing short of spectacular. A very rare piece, with repoussé sterling silver curved domed dangles. This lays perfectly on the neck, and it has a huge presence. A piece which will not fail to be noticed. Measures a closed, wearable length of 15". Length of each dangle is 1 7/8". Weight is 105.6 grams. Signed and hallmarked "FD 925". Collector quality. In excellent vintage condition...

From his first design period, with hallmarks dating 1940- 46, this is a silver conch pin designed by William Spratling and featured in books on Mexican silver. Measuring 2 3/4" by 2", weighs 21 grams and is signed as shown. The pin clasp may have been replaced . One of Spratling's favorite designs.

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...

Based on Hector Aguilar's often referred to as the "fertility" parure, this anonymous Mexican Deco sterling silver band ring is a rare find. I love the combination of the two cross motif variations, the deep hand-chased details and the sense of depth enhanced with oxidation. Interestingly enough, though, and if I remember correctly, when asked about the specific design's meaning in an interview many years ago, Aguilar said that this was the sign the Aztec used to mark locations with gold deposit...

This early Mexican necklace is based on the Los Castillo dragon design, and is every bit as spectacular. Featuring superb craftsmanship, it's a true statement piece with attention to detail second to none. Closed, wearable length is 17", with each dragon having a height of 3 1/4". Weight is 73.5 grams. Hallmarked "Mexico Silver", this piece dates pre-1948. In excellent vintage condition.

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...

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. The brooch measures 2 1/8"...

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....

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 fascinated by the myriad of ways in which calcite...

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...