Bernice Goodspeed Mexican silver floral Necklace

Originally a painter who in the 1930s moved to Mexico to participate in the country’s cultural scene, Bernice Goodspeed quickly moved into designing and selling her own jewelry out of the store she and her fellow-artist husband Carl Pappe opened in Taxco. Bernice’s work does not come up often and I am very excited to have found this repousse necklace by her. The rose links, very reminiscent of the classic “Rosas de Mexico” that often adorn cuffs by Sanborn’s and Maciel, are at the same time sculptural and delicate, their three-dimensionality magically enhanced by the warm patina of time. A sweet, romantic necklace, easy to be enjoyed at all times, by one of the few female contributors to Mexico’s 20th c Silver Renaissance we know of…

Size / Weight: 17” long (wearable; easily lengthened with a simple extension) by 1/2” wide; 40.2 grams

Hallmarks / Date: maker’s initial as shown as well as “STERLING TAXCO” and Eagle 28 assay mark; 1950s-60s

Condition: excellent vintage, in an as sweet-as-can-be design, with warmly glowing patina and no damage or repairs noted

Inv# 15613