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1940s Hector Aguilar Mexican silver floral Pin Brooch

By in Brooches, Mexican and Latin American, Uncategorized |

Big and beautifully aged this floral sterling silver Hector Aguilar brooch is representative of the 1940s’ love affair with all motifs from nature. The flower is here layered, with deep hand-chased details in the petals and foliage, a strong curving stem and a cluster of small beads right at its center. I love the way the bloom is wide open, its face turned to the sun, taking in light and heat and turning it to color, aromas and beauty for our visual enjoyment…   Size / Weight: 3 1/4″ tall by 2 1/2″ wide; 21.9 grams Hallmarks / Date: fully signed as shown with a combination of hallmarks that dates it in the 1940-45 period Condition: excellent vintage with patina that hasn’t been disturbed in years (you can always polish to a higher sheen), sculptural and perfectly finished, with no damage or repairs noted – an Aguilar classic! Inv.#14769  ...

antique Victorian Scottish silver Pin Pendant with cairngorm and agates

By in Uncategorized |

I love antique Scottish “pebble” jewelry for their beautifully etched silverwork, the beauty and variety of the stone inlay, the saturated color of their cairngorm gems but most importantly, for their fiercely proud regional identity. Very often unsigned, the Victorian era pieces also serve as an early example of “celebrity influenced” consumption. It is widely known that Queen Victoria fell in love with Scotland and the specific kind of jewelry whose popularity skyrocketed because of her patronage. In the antique combination pin/pendant at hand saturated yellow and orange, misty blue and mossy green agates surround the huge cairngorm sitting proudly in its raised crown setting. What a symphony of color and craftsmanship…   Size / Weight: 1 1/2″ in diameter; 9.2 grams Hallmarks / Date: not signed for maker nor hallmarked for metal quality yet...

Valentin Vidaurreta Mexican 940 silver Pin Brooch ~ hummingbird

By in Uncategorized |

Valentin Vidaurreta is one of the “giants” in Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance. And even though to most his name does not resonate in the way Spratling’s or Aguilar’s or Antonio’s does, his incredible talent and sublime craftsmanship is behind many of the designs we know, admire and covet as creations of those “big names”. The hummingbird brooch at hand is just one of those examples. Influenced by Deco diktats but at the same time almost alive, the bird flexes its muscles and stretches its body on a downward dive – one can feel the concentration, the warmth of the flesh under the soft feathers, the tension under the skin. Admittedly, hummingbirds don’t usually perform dramatic dives like birds of prey do – it is just the feeling one gets from the brooch as it invites the touch, the running of one’s fingers along...

set of 2 Los Castillo Mexican Deco silver Fur Pins / Clips

By in Uncategorized |

Though it is not uncommon to find Mexican silver fur pins, it is usually single pieces that are available. Here, however, there is a pair bearing the signature of the Los Castillo in a “bow and flower” design. I am not sure if the workshop ever made a whole parure available in this specific design – I have had the small bow necklace / bracelet sets in the past but this is an enhanced version, with more elements added to the bow and the bow itself bigger and fancier. I have seen one or two brooches in this design but never anything else until I came upon the pair of fur clips presented here…   Size / Weight: 2  7/8” long by 1” wide; 38.2 grams (for the pair) Hallmarks / Date: fully hallmarked with the earlier straight capitals signature, des. no 412, and “STERLING”; pre-1948 Condition: very good vintage at least for the silver-work; as you can see in the photo showing...

rare Antonio Pineda Mexican 970 silver amethyst cluster Necklace

By in Uncategorized |

A variation of Antonio’s amethyst cluster necklaces that doesn’t come up often, this modernist dream is wrought in Pineda’s signature fine, .970 alloy and adorned with richly colored stones. The renowned Taxco designer plays with a-symmetry here as the necklace’s focal point, the stylized amethyst floral cascade, reaches out from the back of the neck and unfolds itself on its right side instead of occupying the center front. Each link rests its outer perimeter on the body but rises slightly above on the inner side, closer to the neck thus creating an airy, floating feeling. This is a substantial piece yet its construction and unique articulation allows it to look airy and light. And just look at that hinge, tastefully hidden behind a silver leaf…   Size/Weight: 15″ long (wearable) by 1 1/8″ wide; 105.0 grams (on a postal scale) Hallmarks /...

2″ long Anton Mexican Deco Spanish Colonial silver dangle Earrings

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Ornate, delicate and beautiful this set of Mexican Deco sterling silver earrings is signed by Anton of Mexico City. Inspired by Spanish Colonial design which was prevalent in Mexico until the beginnings of the country’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance the earrings resemble Old World lace and are set with big, foiled amethyst glass cabochons. Beautiful patina, careful finishing and crisp detail make for a romantic yet still impressive pair of dangles…   Size/Weight: 2 1/8″ long by 1 1/8″ wide; 15.5 grams (for the set) Hallmarks / Date: maker’s signature as shown as well as “STERLING MEXICO D.F.”; 1930s-40s Condition: excellent vintage with eye-catching design, great patina, the foiling behind the amethyst glass cabs in good shape as well and no damage or repairs noted Inv.#13802   Offered at $90.00 Contact us about this...