If you collect vintage Mexican silver jewelry or silverware and are a fan of PBS’ Antiques Roadshow, you probably know that antique or vintage Mexican silver doesn’t appear on the program very often. But if you’re handy with a video camera, you might be able to change that – and win a pair of VIP passes to the show of your choice. All you have to do is enter the WGBH Lab’s Open Call program. From the contest description:
Does it make you laugh? Cry? Who gave you the piece, and what did they tell you about it? Whatever the details, The WGBH Lab, in partnership with PBS’s own Antiques Roadshow, wants to see your item and hear its story.
Showcase your piece in an original home movie or creative short film, no longer than 2 minutes. Be unique, and fun with your antique and its story. We want your video to dazzle our audience, and us as well. Your reward? – How about a pair of tickets to a live taping of Antiques Roadshow this summer?
From now, until the end of May, we will be awarding 3 video submissions with a pair of VIP tickets to attend a live taping of an Antiques Roadshow appraisal event.
Additionally, your video could be chosen by Antiques Roadshow for national broadcast at a later date, to be featured on their website, or chosen as a stand alone video short to be aired on PBS stations nationwide!
If you simply want to attend a taping of Antiques Roadshow you can enter a drawing for free tickets to any of this year’s six summer stops (San Diego 6/12, Billings 6/26, Miami Beach 7/10, Biloxi 7/24, Des Moines 8/7, Washington, D.C. 8/21). Apply by April 19, 2010.
(A suite consisting of a necklace, pendant, pin, earrings and bracelet by Margot de Taxco and was appraised in a 2005 episode of Antiques Roadshow. Watch it here.)
|
||||||||
Photograph: Heritage Auction Galleries/Artfact
Regarding yesterday’s post about the value of this vintage William Spratling silver pin – perhaps a current asking price of $400.00 is not in line with the market at the moment.
While poking around Artfact.com’s database of past auction prices, I saw that the same style of pin did not sell at an auction just a few months ago (November 10, 2009). The Heritage Auction Galleries listing on Artfact was for Lot 71004. The description:
A MEXICAN SILVER PIN William Spratling, Taxco, Mexico, circa 1945 Marks: SPRATLING MADE IN MEXICO (circling) WS, SPRATLING SILVER 1-3/8 x 1-3/4 inches (3.5 x 4.4 cm) 0.46 troy ounces PROVENANCE: From the Collection of Carole A. Berk, Ltd. The Pre-Columbian inspired pin of a seated figure with jar and bird, pivot ring closure.
The estimated price was $400 – $500, the realized price $0. You can see the listing here (login – it’s free – for full details). See a list of other vintage Mexican silver items from that auction here.
On a related note, if you are interested in adding to your arsenal of vintage Mexican silver reference materials, take a look at this digital reproduction of the William Spratling 1962 Silver Catalog & Price List. From the seller’s description:
The catalog is a fixed price listing, not an auction.
In 2007 Cinciauctions posted this YouTube video for a William Spratling pin they sold for $ 59.00 at one of their auctions:
The same style pin is now for sale on eBay with a starting bid of $ 499.00. That’s a huge jump in such a short period of time…. The auction ends February 7th. Here is the eBay listing:
I do not know if either of these pins are authentic (and I’m not hazarding any guesses, one way or another). Someone who knows better might want to take a look at the photographs of the hallmarks and maker’s marks for each of the pins since they are not the same. Get out the field guide (!) Spratling Silver: A Field Guide : Recognizing a William Spratling Treasure
Salvador Teran was born in Taxco, Mexico and was a cousin to Los Castillos. He worked with Los Castillos for a number of years and then opened a workshop in Mexico City in 1952. Teran, who is especially well known for his mosaic work, frequently worked with brass. His motifs ranged from Aztec to modernist to whimsical. A number of pieces by Teran are currently available on eBay:
 |
Salvador Teran Vintage Aztec Earrings Los Costillos US $49.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-09-2010 16:46:20 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
VINTAGE MEXICAN SILVER SALVADOR TERAN CUFF LINKS US $275.00 Auction Ends: Saturday Feb-13-2010 6:28:27 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
SALVADOR TERAN STONE MOSAIC BRASS SWORDFISH FISH TRAY US $79.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-15-2010 13:52:59 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
RARE Salvador Teran Mexico Necklace Pendant Ceramic BIG US $199.96 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-22-2010 7:10:50 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
jewelry Box Eames mid century modern salvador teran era US $140.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-28-2010 8:05:21 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Salvador Teran jewelry Box Eames era mid century modern US $235.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-28-2010 8:05:34 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
salvador teran era Eames mid century modern wall art US $110.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-28-2010 10:05:07 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
VNTG MEXICAN SALVADOR TERAN BRASS TILE TALL GLASSES US $250.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-03-2010 14:36:30 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
VINTAGE MODERNIST MEXICAN SALVADOR TERAN BRASS TILE BOX US $150.00 Auction Ends: Monday Mar-08-2010 11:10:04 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Salvador Teran Brass & Mosaic Tile Tea Coffee Set US $800.00 Auction Ends: Monday Mar-08-2010 20:52:28 PST | Watch this Item |
Photograph: Cowan’s Auctions
The Winter Fine & Decorative Art auction by Cowan’s Auctions (Cincinnati, OH) on February 20th includes a 20th century Tane sterling silver tea service. Description from Cowan’s:
Mexican, 20th century. A sterling silver tea service which includes a swelled form hot water pot and stand, tea pot, covered cream and sugar, waste bowl and a large handled tray, all with vertical lobed panels and footed bases. Tray: lg. 30, wd. 22 in; Hot water server: ht. 13, lg. 12 in. Marked, Tane Sterling / Made in Mexico, Sterling .925. Total silver weight, 317.81 ozt (9885 g). Condition: Minor dent to small teapot. (EST $4000-$6000)
You can register to bid live online with iCowans and through artfact.com
|
||||||||
