early Taxco 980 silver, black opal and amethyst Bracelet

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 rich inclusions flank an equally big, magical black opal. Black opals are not used very often in vintage Mexican silver jewelry - Carmen Beckmann did incorporate them in some amazing designs - but when they show up, they are irresistible. In our case, the cab is made up of smaller pieces set together as if in a matrix or this would have been an extremely expensive bracelet. Still, I am in awe...

Size / Weight: 7 1/4" long (wearable) by 1 5/8" wide; 68.0 grams

Hallmarks / Date: simply marked "TAXCO 980"; 1930s

Condition: excellent vintage with stunning presence, gorgeous stones, with the black opals shimmering in a myriad of colors under the changing light, having great patina and no damage or repairs noted

Inv# 15817