Enrique Ledesma Mexican silver copper and stone Necklace

Graciously aged sterling silver, green stone inlay and warmly glowing copper combine in this Enrique Ledesma Mexican modernist necklace. Ledesma is a favorite Taxco maestro of mine - his modernism is soft and close to the heart; his designs emphasizing gently curving lines that are only enhanced by the richness of earth colors his inlays come in. The elements in the piece at hand are well known to the lover of the maestro’s jewelry yet the addition of the copper “animal teeth” leads to a welcome aberration from the norm…

Size / Weight: 18” long (adjustable thanks to the silver chain); central part with the “teeth” adds a 1 1/8” drop; 65.4 grams

Hallmarks / Date: fully hallmarked as shown with maker’s signature, “TAXCO”, “HECHO EN MEXICO”, “925” and Eagle 3 assay mark; 1950s-60s

Condition: very good vintage with gorgeous greens in the stone inlay, beautifully glowing patina in both the silver and copper elements, with no damage noted; I believe that the sterling chain at either end is a later addition to lengthen the original necklace yet it happened some time ago and it really works perfectly as it allows you to adjust it as desired; upon very close inspection under a jeweler’s loupe a couple of the links in the central part have some of the old glue showing right at the bottom edge of the inlay - this doesn’t really register to the naked eye and doesn’t detract from the necklace’s beauty but I wanted to mention it anyway

Inv# 15403