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Los Ballesteros Mexican silver modernist Ring with simulated alexandrite

By in Mexican and Latin American, Rings/earrings, Uncategorized |

Bearing the signature of the Los Ballesteros taller this modernist sterling silver Mexican ring holds a big, faceted simulated alexandrite in a raised crown. The gem is in fact color-change corundum and it is found in the best examples of Los Ballesteros jewelry. Highly sought after because it mimics the behavior of natural alexandrite by changing color under different light conditions, it can look anywhere between burgundy red and steely purple. In our case, the less-is-more setting (very evocative of Antonio Pineda designs) with its heft and wonderful patina contribute to the ring’s timeless appeal…   Size/Weight: sz 6  1/2 (it can be re-sized by your jeweler); face is 7/8″ by 3/4″; ring’s height just shy of 1/2″; 11.6 grams Hallmarks / Date: taller’s logo albeit partially and faintly stamped (it is there though) as well as “HECHO EN...

superb Deco Mexican silver Quetzalcoatl Belt Buckle or Brooch set

By in Mexican and Latin American, Uncategorized |

Stupendous Mexican Deco silver belt buckle in the shape of mirrored Quetzalcoatls executed in perfect repoussage and having acquired a glorious patina over the years. The anonymous maestro used silver sheet of good thickness here and the piece feels as substantial as it looks. Combine it with a nice leather belt as it was meant to be used or, you can have the two “serpents” easily turned into impressive brooches! Either way, definitely wearable art…   Size/Weight: 7″ wide by 3  1/4″ tall (at its tallest); 72.4 grams Hallmarks / Date: simply marked “STERLING MEXICO” with des. no 1004; 1930s-40s Condition: excellent vintage with very strong visual impact, craftsmanship of the highest level, ready to be worn and enjoyed once again   Offered at $435.00 Contact us about this...

antique Chinese silver gilt wedding Bracelet with carved pai gow tiles cricket, phoenix and dragon symbols

By in Uncategorized |

Antique, late 19th or early 20th c, I believe, Chinese wedding bracelet wrought in gilded silver with three figural carved pai gow tile panels set in raised bezels. The panels are almost identical and feature symbols that are auspicious to newlyweds, namely a cricket, a dragon and a phoenix. The silver frame is beautifully worked with intricate cut-outs and repousse prunus flowers. I think the tiles are made of cow bone that has beautifully mellowed over the years thus adding to the sculpturality of the carvings and the same is the case with the gilding. Precious indeed…   Size/Weight: 7″ long (wearable); width between 1 3/4″ and 5/8″; 46.8 grams Hallmarks / Date: “CHINA SILVER”; late 19th – opening decades of 20th c. Condition: very good vintage with great patina in both the silver and the bone, quite ornate and nicely carved, with some small...

rare long Mexican silver Etruscan style Necklace with barrel beads and turquoise

By in archived, Uncategorized |

Though Etrscan style pieces are not uncommon within the field of vintage Mexican silver jewelry to find an Opera length necklace comprised of floret-studded sterling barrel beads, turquoise beads and lengths of hand-wrougth chain is quite rare so I am thrilled to be presenting this example here. The maestro who made it, listed albeit only by his initials, worked in Cuernavaca where many of the Mexican Etruscan pieces I have had in the past originated. Perfect patina, no florets or little beads missing, nice color in the unpolished turquoise beads and generous length elevate this necklace to the realm of coveted treasures. A stunning, difficult to find necklace…   Size/Weight: just above 35″ long; barrel beads are 1/2″ in diameter; 60.8 grams Hallmarks / Date: maker’s initials “S.D.” alongside Eagle 108; 1950s-60s Condition: excellent vintage with no...