Jose Luis Flores Mexican silver Taxco modernist Necklace

A rarely surfacing modernist design by Jose Luis Flores, a well-known Taxco maestro and talented designer, whose work can also be found bearing the signatures of Emma (Melendez), Miguel (Martinez) and Rubi Ramirez. Flores worked for Hector Aguilar in Taller Borda and as Hougart reports, many of the designs we habitually attribute to Aguilar were, in fact, Flores's creations. I find that Flores was at his best when he worked within the parameters of modernism yet the minimalism of modernist design is, in his case, softened by generously curvaceous, sweeping lines and warmly glistening beading. The necklace at hand is an excellent illustration of what I mean: its geometry is sparse but not aggressively angular, the motifs very reminiscent of fleshy little silver balls scattered along an undulating silk ribbon...

Size / Weight: 17 1/4" long (wearable); central 3-link station is 6 5/8" long by 1 9/16" at its widest; width at the chain is 1/2"; 47.7 grams

Hallmarks / Date: maker's initials "JLF" as well as "MEXICO TAXCO 925", Eagle 2 assay mark and des no 1065 (?); 1950s-60s

Condition: excellent vintage with strong visual presence, warmly glowing patina and no damage or repairs noted

Inv# 15782