Mexican silver and stone Spanish Colonial Cross Pendant Necklace

An early example of Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance, this cross necklace follows the Spanish Colonial tradition as is evident by the ornate links forming its chain and the scroll-work and beading surrounding the pendant’s stone. Impressive in size, with its warm patina and the silky softness of the calcite, it has obviously lived a long, full life as attested to by the small and rather discreet crack marking the cross’s stipes (that is, the cross’s vertical element)…

Size / Weight: chain is 17” long by 1/2” wide (easily lengthened with a simple sterling extension); cross pendant is 3” long by 2 1/2” wide and adds a 3 3/16” drop to the chain; 54.3 grams

Hallmarks / Date: simply marked “MEXICO”; tested and guaranteed to be silver of at least .900 purity even though most probably sterling; 1920s-30s

Condition: very good vintage with beautiful wire-work, a silky, tactile stone, imposing presence and patina that enhances the design, with no damage or repairs noted except for the crack in the calcite mentioned above

Inv# 16002