Los Ballesteros Mexican silver tiger's eye Joker Pendant Necklace

In the last couple of years I found myself drawn closer and closer to the jewelry created by the Los Ballesteros workshop. I am especially attracted to their “mask” pieces in all the forms they can be found as well as to what I like to call their “hinged bangle” bracelets. I consider both kinds the absolute jewel in the taller’s creative crown and it seems that there is always something new and different to discover. The perfectly carved tiger’s eye “Joker” pendant is a piece I have never had before. The stone has a mystical inner glow, the cascabeles dangling off his hat are beguilingly musical and the chain itself one of the best I have seen lately…

Size / Weight: pendant is 3 5/8” tall (without the bail) by 3” wide; with the bail it adds a 3 3/4” drop to the chain; chain is 31 1/2” long; 57.3 grams (for the set; pendant alone is 34.9 grams)

Hallmarks / Date: workshop’s logo as well as “STERLING 925” and Eagle 42 assay mark on pendant; chain is marked with a badly stamped Eagle mark and partial maker’s initials (the chain is made by a different Taxco maestro); 1960s-70s

Condition: excellent vintage with a magnificent “mask”, gorgeous inner glow in the tiger’s eye, great presence, with beautiful patina and a fantastic chain; no damage and no repairs noted

Inv# 15459