early Mexican Deco 900 silver and agate "mask" Brooch

Big and early as indicated by the .900 silver alloy used to craft it, this Mexican Deco silver repousse "mask" brooch I particularly love because of the gorgeous stone out of which the portrait is carved as well as the pronounced repoussage of the frame that surrounds it. If you follow my "journey", you already know that I am drawn to Mexican "mask" jewelry. I consider them quintessentially "Mexican Deco" and believe that they epitomize the spirit of the period in which they started being made, a time when the country was also re-casting its national character. In the example at hand it is, I think, impossible not to admire the ability of the anonymous lapidary in teasing out of the stone the ancient face's serenity and deep thoughtfulness with the most rudimentary strikes of the chisel...

Size / Weight: 2 7/8" wide by 2 1/2" tall; 51.1 grams

Hallmarks / Date: "MADE IN MEXICO" and "900"; 1920s-30s

Condition: excellent vintage with imposing presence, a gorgeous stone "mask" with eye-catching color variation, great patina and no damage or repairs noted

Inv# 16018