Doris Mexican silver figural Brooch

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 since kept my eyes open for pieces with her signature (quite often found alongside her name is “Corpus Artisans”) and I have never been disappointed in my, admittedly, not as-often-as-I-would-have-liked-them finds. The rich layering, hand-etched details, careful finishing and strong presence of the brooch at hand is, I think, the perfect illustration of Doris’s magic. A portrait of the great Maya king Pakal of Palenque, it has more than successfully captured his regal demeanor and self-confidence…

Size / Weight: 2 7/8” tall by 1 7/8” wide; 19.9 grams

Hallmarks / Date: maker’s name as shown as well as “SILVER MEXICO”; pre-1948

Condition: excellent vintage with rich, dramatic layering and careful hand-etched details, fantastic patina and no damage or repairs noted

Inv# 15310

*My thanks to Sally Jechura of decotini.com for this information