Miguel Melendez Mexican silver modernist Necklace

After apprenticing at Spratling's Las Delicias and working for both the Los Castillo and Margot de Taxco, maestro Miguel Melendez opened his own workshop in 1953. His modernist jewelry has a very distinct character - their design is slick and quite often minimalist yet rooted in Mexico's rich history and quite often adorned with some of the most exquisite gemstones that came out of Taxco. I had, however, never seen an example with his signature after the 1980 terminus until I came upon this necklace. Here Miguel's less-is-more philosophy is beguilingly tempered by the gloriously curvaceous central station. Delightfully unexpected...

Size / Weight: 15 1/4" long (wearable); central station is 3 5/8" wide with a drop of 2 3/8"; 44.8 grams

Hallmarks / Date: Miguel's initial "m" in script as shown as well as registration code "TM-18" and "TAXCO", "MEXICO 925"; 1980s

Condition: excellent vintage with a visually strong, slick design, great patina and no damage or repairs noted

Inv# 15899