Mexican Deco silver and chrysoprase "mask" Pendant Necklace
Stern and solemn, a gorgeous example of classic Mexican Deco lapidary work, the chrysoprase “mask” centering the silver pendant at hand looks dignified and at ease, completely unaffected by the weight of its ornate headdress. The hefty, entirely hand-wrought chain that accompanies it is, I believe, original to the necklace and perfectly reflects the pendant’s heaviness. Signed by one of Taxco’s “less celebrated” maestros, those listed in the relevant literature yet still unidentified, the combination is at least en par with the work that came out of the famous workshops. Confident in its craftsmanship and quality of materials, proud in the flawless finishing, securely rooted in its cultural heritage, a pendant necklace well above the ordinary…
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 1/4” square (without the bail); with the bail it adds a 2 1/2” drop to the chain; chain itself is 20” long by 1/4” wide; 91.5 grams (for the set; 47.0 grams for the pendant; 44.5 grams for the chain)
Hallmarks / Date: (on pendant) maker’s initials “TRM” as well as “TAXCO MEXICO 925” and a partially stamped Eagle assay mark; (on chain) “STERLING”, “MEXICO” and again, a badly stamped Eagle mark; late 1940s-50s
Condition: excellent vintage with stunning presence, ornate silver-work, a fantastic chain and a beautifully carved mask; very nice patina and no damage or repairs noted except for a very small rough spot on the “mask’s” lower lip which is more felt than visible to the naked eye
Inv# 15700
Stern and solemn, a gorgeous example of classic Mexican Deco lapidary work, the chrysoprase “mask” centering the silver pendant at hand looks dignified and at ease, completely unaffected by the weight of its ornate headdress. The hefty, entirely hand-wrought chain that accompanies it is, I believe, original to the necklace and perfectly reflects the pendant’s heaviness. Signed by one of Taxco’s “less celebrated” maestros, those listed in the relevant literature yet still unidentified, the combination is at least en par with the work that came out of the famous workshops. Confident in its craftsmanship and quality of materials, proud in the flawless finishing, securely rooted in its cultural heritage, a pendant necklace well above the ordinary…
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 1/4” square (without the bail); with the bail it adds a 2 1/2” drop to the chain; chain itself is 20” long by 1/4” wide; 91.5 grams (for the set; 47.0 grams for the pendant; 44.5 grams for the chain)
Hallmarks / Date: (on pendant) maker’s initials “TRM” as well as “TAXCO MEXICO 925” and a partially stamped Eagle assay mark; (on chain) “STERLING”, “MEXICO” and again, a badly stamped Eagle mark; late 1940s-50s
Condition: excellent vintage with stunning presence, ornate silver-work, a fantastic chain and a beautifully carved mask; very nice patina and no damage or repairs noted except for a very small rough spot on the “mask’s” lower lip which is more felt than visible to the naked eye
Inv# 15700
Stern and solemn, a gorgeous example of classic Mexican Deco lapidary work, the chrysoprase “mask” centering the silver pendant at hand looks dignified and at ease, completely unaffected by the weight of its ornate headdress. The hefty, entirely hand-wrought chain that accompanies it is, I believe, original to the necklace and perfectly reflects the pendant’s heaviness. Signed by one of Taxco’s “less celebrated” maestros, those listed in the relevant literature yet still unidentified, the combination is at least en par with the work that came out of the famous workshops. Confident in its craftsmanship and quality of materials, proud in the flawless finishing, securely rooted in its cultural heritage, a pendant necklace well above the ordinary…
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 1/4” square (without the bail); with the bail it adds a 2 1/2” drop to the chain; chain itself is 20” long by 1/4” wide; 91.5 grams (for the set; 47.0 grams for the pendant; 44.5 grams for the chain)
Hallmarks / Date: (on pendant) maker’s initials “TRM” as well as “TAXCO MEXICO 925” and a partially stamped Eagle assay mark; (on chain) “STERLING”, “MEXICO” and again, a badly stamped Eagle mark; late 1940s-50s
Condition: excellent vintage with stunning presence, ornate silver-work, a fantastic chain and a beautifully carved mask; very nice patina and no damage or repairs noted except for a very small rough spot on the “mask’s” lower lip which is more felt than visible to the naked eye
Inv# 15700