Carmen Beckmann Mexican silver stone “frogs” Necklace

Sterling overlay and three-dimensional stone frogs turn this Carmen Beckmann necklace into a small sculpture gallery around the neck! One of the few known to us female contributors to Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance albeit active a little later than the beginnings of the big Mexico City and Taxco workshops, she was based in San Miguel de Allende in the 1950s and 1960s and that is where she created most of her jewelry. Quite often borrowing motifs from Spratling’s earlier pieces, Beckmann’s jewelry can be inspired when she is at her best or simply interesting. The “frogs” necklace with its animal links separated by all-silver pre-Colombian floral stations is one of her most coveted creations. Patina, the stone’s soothing greens, the hand-made quality of the chain and the minimalist rendition of flora and fauna combine in a necklace that successfully marries ancient motifs with the modernity of its own age… 

Size/Weight: 17″ long (wearable; once clasped, it becomes a little roomier at 17 1/2″); links part is 6 3/4″ long by 1 1/8″ wide; 98.6 grams

Hallmarks / Date: fully signed with maker’s name as well as “MEXICO STERLING”; ca 1950

Condition: very good vintage with fantastic patina, seamless overlay and nicely carved stone frogs; there is a small pop in the stone on the back of one frog (you can see it in the detail photo I have provided) – it is old and the stone has oxidized so it doesn’t really attract attention and does not negatively affect the way the necklace presents yet it is reflected in my pricing

Inv.#14938