A case of mistaken identity: Taxco Moderne Enamel and Silver Pin

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On Saturday May 19th this vintage sterling silver and enamel brooch will be sold at auction.  It’s a beauty:

Vintage Taxco Moderne Enamel and Silver Pin; Photograph: Cordier Auctions & Appraisals/Artfact

However, the maker has not been identified correctly in the lot description.  First, read the description below, then take a look at the photograph of the back of the pin.

DESCRIPTION: A very unusual enamel on sterling silver pin made and fully marked to Taxco, Mexico, eagle and 16 touchmark possibly for Maciel. Probably 1940-50 period. MEASUREMENTS: 2″. CONDITION: Very good. Estimated Price: $100 – $200

Photograph: Cordier Auctions & Appraisals/Artfact

If you look at the left side of the image, you’ll see that the pin is a creation of Margot de Taxco (Margot van Voorhies Carr).  Maciel, Sigi Pineda and Margot all used Eagle 16, but this is clearly marked “Margot de Taxco.”

The starting bid on this pin is $ 50.  Because of the error, it’s entirely possible that this won’t be found by potential bidders who collect work by Margot de Taxco and that the bidding won’t be as robust as it might be with correct identification.  In other words, if you’re interested, go on over to the auction listing.  Maybe you’ll get lucky!

Enamel and sterling silver jewelry by Margot de Taxco can sometimes be found on eBay. Here is what’s available now (and, as always, be sure to ask questions and check a seller’s history before buying):

vintage-margot-de-taxco-mexican-deco-mosaic-glass-enamel-sterling-925-earrings Vintage Margot de Taxco Mexican Deco Mosaic Glass Enamel Sterling 925 Earrings
US $185.00
Auction Ends: Friday May-18-2012 22:50:18 PDT
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vtg-margot-de-taxco-mexico-deco-white-&-blue-enamel-sterling-silver-earrings-925 Vtg Margot de Taxco Mexico Deco White & Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Earrings 925
US $135.00
Auction Ends: Saturday May-19-2012 22:23:13 PDT
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margot-de-taxco-enamel-spiral-pin-brooch-sterling-silver-vintage-blue-white- MARGOT DE TAXCO ENAMEL SPIRAL PIN BROOCH STERLING SILVER VINTAGE BLUE WHITE
US $67.15
Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 8:16:08 PDT
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margot-de-taxco-sterling-enamel-guilloche-earrings-modernist-design MARGOT DE TAXCO STERLING ENAMEL GUILLOCHE EARRINGS MODERNIST DESIGN
US $26.00 (4 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 8:42:33 PDT
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margot-de-taxco-vintage-mexico-mexican-sterling-silver-&-enamel-necklace MARGOT de TAXCO VINTAGE MEXICO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER & ENAMEL NECKLACE
US $180.50 (19 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 18:05:19 PDT
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Vintage sterling silver tea set: Salvador de la Serna, Mexico City

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Salvador de la Serna was one of the Mexico City silversmiths known for producing good quality sterling silver items such as this tea set that will be sold at auction on May 19th:

Salvador de la Serna 6 Pc Sterling Tea Set – Photograph: Cordier Auctions & Appraisals

Here is the description of Lot 191 provided by the auctioneer:

Salvador de la Serna six piece sterling silver tea set. Tray with a scalloped edge and two handles and the other pieces each with four feet and a bulbous gourd shaped body. Circa 1960-70. Mexico City, Mexico. Includes: 9″ coffee pot, 7-5/8″ teapot, 5-1/8″ lidded sugar bowl, 4″ creamer, 2-1/4″ waste bowl, and 25″ x 16-1/4″ tray. Each marked “S. de la Serna, Sterling 925, Hecho en Mexico” with an impression of an eagle with the number “24.” Approximately 180.53 troy ounces total. CONDITION: One small dent on sugar bowl. Estimated Price: $5,000 – $7,000

Visit Cordier Auctions and Appraisals for more details.

Every once in a while you can find vintage Salvador de la Serna sterling silver on eBay – not a lot, but here is what’s available at the moment:

salvador-de-la-serna-sterling-silver-salad-set-hand-hammered-mexico-11oz Salvador de la Serna Sterling Silver Salad Set Hand Hammered Mexico 11oz
US $399.99 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Wednesday May-23-2012 17:40:47 PDT
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Check out this sale on vintage Mexican and other vintage silver jewelry

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One of eBay’s top-rated sellers specializing in vintage silver currently has a sale on select items.  A beautiful set by Alfredo Villasan, marked down 40% (from $550 to $330) for a limited time, caught our eye.  The set weighs in at 207 grams.

Vintage Alfredo Villasana silver jewelry set. Photograph: The Vintage Silver Shop

Here’s the description from the listing:

Alfredo Villasana is featured in Hougart’s book on Mexican Silver hallmarks and also is noted in Mexican Silver as one of Taxco’s silversmiths who produced exceptional jewelry. Villasana worked for both Hector Aguilar AND William Spratling, learning at the feet of the masters!
This is an incredible set by Villasana, circa 1948, and consisting of a necklace, bracelet, and matching earrings. The set is sterling silver and each piece is wavy prong set with enormous olive green chrysocolla stones that have flashes of brown and blue green in them.
This is just a monumental grouping, heavy at 207 grams, and extremely well made. The necklace and bracelet close with slide in clasps and the earrings are screwbacks. This is just a stupendous SET and very hard to find a whole grouping like this!
Hallmark: Hecho en Mexico Taxco AV Sterling 925
Size: Necklace Wearable: About 15″ — drop hangs down 2 1/2″ and is 2″ wide; Bracelet Wearable Length: 7″; Bracelet Width: 3/4″; Bracelet Front Medallion: 2 1/2″ x 2″; Earrings: 1 1/4″ x 7/8″; Grams for the Set: 207
Condition: Excellent vintage – the stones have natural lines on the surface that are shot through with a pretty blue green color

Follow the link for a more detailed look:

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You can also visit the main page of the store to see all of the sale and other listings.