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rare La Joya Mexican Deco silver and amethyst Bracelet

By in Bracelets, Mexican and Latin American, Uncategorized |

A stunner of a bracelet, this early Mexican Deco beauty is signed by La Joya, a maker whose pieces do not come up very often but is known to have worked in the early part of Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance. I suspect that they might have been based in Taxco – the style is definitely reminiscent of jewelry produced there – but more research needs to be done before we can say for sure. What is more than obvious though is the high level of craftsmanship, the impeccable attention to detail and the regal presence of the bracelet at hand. Old type of clasp with a sturdy pin holding the two wings together, great patina that accentuates the geometric overlay and luscious, big amethyst cabs with clouding and inclusions – just magical…   Size/Weight: 6  5/8″ inner circumference (clasped) by 1  5/8″ wide; 119.2 grams Hallmarks / Date: maker’s...

Los Ballesteros Mexican silver Necklace ~ rare Taxco minimalist pectoral

By in Uncategorized |

Rare vintage Los Ballesteros Mexican silver necklace in a minimalist Taxco pectoral design, this is a piece that, in my opinion, inhabits the same universe as their all-silver but chunky hinged bracelet I will present in the next few days. In all my years of buying, selling, perusing the auctions (whether on the floor or online) and visiting flea markets and antiques stores, I only came upon this specific necklace once and it was … sold. Sheer, stunning bare-bones design; it cannot get any “less-is-more” than this! Reflective, beautifully aged silver that is, however, so cleverly articulated that the necklace rests softly on the collar bone without standing proud of it. One knows good design when one sees it…   Size/Weight: 16″ inner circumference (clasped); width between 1  1/8″ at center front and 3/8″ at its narrowest, on the sides; 145.0...

mod Hubert Harmon Mexican brass Cufflinks ~ quirky repousse feet design

By in Mexican and Latin American, Uncategorized |

One of the most interesting figures whose star shone bright during his short stay in Taxco in the 1940s, Hubert Harmon is known for his quirky yet irresistible designs. Difficult to find, his Mexican creations oftentimes draw on the country’s artistic heritage which is, however, re-worked and re-interpreted through Harmon’s quite idiosyncratic eye. As tongue-in-cheek as can be the pair of repousse brass cufflinks presented here in the shape of naked feet is a small example of his incredible acumen…   Size/Weight: just shy of 1  3/8″ long by 3/4″ wide; 10.5 grams (for the set) Hallmarks / Date: fully and appropriately marked with maker’s signature as shown as well as “MEXICO”; 1940s Condition: excellent vintage with fantastic patina and no damage or repairs noted     Offered at $235.00 Contact us about this...

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...