It’s not often that the Antiques Roadshow “veil” is lifted, but recently Current.org published a must-read story that gives us a glimpse of the relationship between the appraisers and the show’s producing station, WBGH.  Read Conflicting appraisals: Minutes on Roadshow are pay enough for some here.

Here are the links (each one opens in a new window) to vintage Taxco silver jewelry appraisals on Antiques Roadshow:

Margot de Taxco Jewelry, ca. 1955

Taxco Silver Necklace & Bracelet, ca. 1950

And check out this link to a collection of 20th-Century Antonio Pineda Gold Jewelry that one lucky lady inherited from her parents, who were friends of Pineda’s.

Behind the scenes at Antiques Roadshow, and some vintage Taxco silver jewelry appraisals originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on January 27, 2012. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Top trends in antiques and collectibles originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on January 24, 2012. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

If you’re going to buy or sell vintage Mexican silver jewelry or other pieces, it’s important to learn as much as you can about hallmarks and maker’s marks. The must-have reference for vintage Mexican silver marks is Bille Hougart’s The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks. Click on the eBay link below to buy this book if you don’t already own it.

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Know your marks: vintage Los Ballesteros silver necklace auction originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on December 31, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

This week Heritage Auctions, a prominent brokerage for movie memorabilia, suddenly pulled its offer of a silver belt buckle with a gold inlay of the Red River brand, just as the bidding reached $17,000. It was one of a handful of buckles commissioned in 1946, when the film was shot, as gifts by its director, Howard Hawks.

A Heritage representative called the buckle’s owner, Mara Alexandru, who had been given it by her father, Norman Cook, the production manager on “Red River.” The representative told her it had vanished — the same fate that had befallen at least two of the other “Red River” buckles over the years.

Heritage Auctions is, of course, an established auction house with an excellent reputation, but like any organization, it is made up of people, and we humans do make mistakes.

The lessons: deal only with reputable auction houses, be sure they have insurance to cover loss, document your item before handing it over, and get a receipt for that item.

You can read the complete article here. Take a look at the listing (Lot 46029, now marked “Lot Passed”) at Live Auctioneers here.

The mysterious case of the disappearing Howard Hawks silver belt buckle originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on December 15, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Margot Van Voorhies: The Art of Mexican Enamelwork
Margot Van Voorhies was an American in the mid-twentieth century who went to Taxco, Mexico, and established a jewelry design business best known for exquisite enamel work. This fascinating book relates the pains of her childhood and eventual refuge in Mexico, where she developed an artistic talent into the Margot de Taxco workshop, that employed hundreds of artisans, particularly including women. Her associations with Taxco silversmiths, who were taught by innovator William Spratling, became the springboard for her own development and success. Margot’s designs are distinctive, often based on spiral motifs inspired by vines and floral imagery. Glorious colored enamels in brilliant hues and original designs distinguish her work. Today, Margot Van Voorhies is considered one of the most productive silver artists in Taxco of the mid-20th century. Her legacy is featured here also, in the work of four contemporary artists who strive to create equally superior modern silver jewelry in Taxco.

The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks
The 2006 new and revised 2nd edition of the bestselling reference guide to identifying Mexican silver: Loaded with images and graphics of over 1500 marks of silver makers, designers, manufacturers and silver houses in Taxco and throughout Mexico. Eagle numbers from 1 through eagle 219. The book includes all the great ones, including William Spratling, Hector Aguilar, Los Castillo, Antonio Pineda, Sigi, Maricela, Salvador, Valentn Vidaurreta, Victoria, Fred Davis, Artemio Navarrete, Emma Melendez, Bernice Goodspeed, Maciel, Matl, Tane, Hubert Harmon, Chato, Margot and many, many others. The book is cross-referenced and indexed for quick and handy searches. The new edition reveals identities of many mystery marks and includes examples of marks not previously published. Special sections describing fake marks are included for prominent designers.

Mexican Silver: Modern Handwrought Jewelry & Metalwork
With a new section of makers marks and new photographs, here is the powerful story of the silver renaissance in Mexico from the 1920s to the present. The wealth of color photos showcases the incomparable beauty of jewelry, tableware, and art works in silver. Extensive research sheds new light on the life and art of William Spratling, Margot van Voorhies, Fred Davis, and Hubert Harmon, and on the artisans who worked for them, making this book the definitive study of Mexican silver jewelry and decorative objects.

Silver Seduction: The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda
Antonio Pineda (b. 1919) is renowned for translating design elements evocative of Mexico’s past into often-astounding modernist silver jewelry, sculpture, and tableware. Perhaps more than any of his talented counterparts, he has been able to abstract and refine, producing elegant, spare, and geometric works that evidence a profound respect for the wearer. Pineda was also instrumental in the formation of the Taxco School of silver design. The over two hundred remarkable Pineda objects illustrated in this volume reflect the artist’s intense imagination and quest for technical perfection. While focusing on Pineda’s art from the 1930s through the 1970s, author Gobi Stromberg also places his career and the development of the Taxco School in context. She considers how a particular set of historical, political, cultural, social, and economic factors facilitated meetings between Mexican and American artists, intellectuals, writers, Hollywood stars, and musicians; spawned the building of roads opening up remote Mexican villages to a growing influx of U.S. tourists and expatriates of every stripe; encouraged a focus upon Mexico’s glorious Pre-Columbian heritage and the legacy of its indigenous peoples; and promoted the development of a unique system of production in the workshops of Taxco that made innovation and experimentation paramount. Stromberg and contributing essayist Ana Elena Mallet have in fact managed to untangle and address the multiple strands of influence that together resulted in an unprecedented period in silver design and execution, Taxco’s Silver Age.

William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance: Maestros de Plata
William Spratling revolutionized silver jewellery design in Mexico. Arriving in Taxco in 1929, by 1940 he had over 100 silversmiths producing his enormously popular silver creations. Important figures of the North American literary and art establishment, among them John dos Passos, William Faulkner and Georgia O’Keeffe, purchased his designs and sang his praises. Out of Spratling’s workshop emerged many of Mexico’s finest silver designers, including Hector Aguilar, Antonio Castillo and his brothers Jorge and Justo, Salvador Teran and Antonio Pineda. Their stiking jewellery and hollow-ware in silver – often set with precious stones and pre-Columbian artefacts – are prized collectibles.

Cherished books make great gifts from the heart! Get $2 off $20 when you buy books, music, movies or video games at www.alibris.com and use the code ILOVEBOOKS at checkout. This code expires December 31, 2011.

Great gifts for collectors of vintage Mexican or 20th century silver originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on December 11, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Black is the most common obsidian color, but it can be found in gray/silver, brown/gold, and, more rarely, red, blue, and green. Sometimes inclusions give obsidian a metallic sheen while other times internal crystallites create a snowflake effect. Mounted in silver jewelry, black obsidian can look really stunning. Here are some pieces of vintage Mexican silver jewelry that use obsidian to great effect:

Obsidian and vintage Mexican silver jewelry originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on November 6, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Amethyst is one of the best-known gemstones mined in Mexico. Here are some vintage Taxco silver pieces featuring amethyst that are currently offered on eBay:

Vintage Heavy sterling silver Taxco Mexico Clamp Cuff Bracelet amethyst 83 grams US $219.50 (20 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 13:00:05 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage old Taxco Mexico Sterling Silver Hand Made Amethyst Poison Ring signed US $29.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 14:52:35 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Modernist Taxco Sterling Silver and Amethyst Pin Brooch US $29.95 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 16:06:59 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Taxco silver and amethyst necklace/ bracelet - Valentine dream gift US $425.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 17:25:45 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Mexico Taxco Sterling Silver Amethyst POISON Ring OLD & UNIQUE US $65.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 18:00:23 PST   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE TAXCO SILVER AND AMETHYST EARRINGS US $59.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 20:33:15 PST   | Watch this Item

Those gemstones in your vintage Mexican silver jewelry… originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on October 30, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Photograph: ADN Galeria

The sterling silver and tortoiseshell jaguar brooch by William Spratling shown above is one example of what you might find in the Mexico City section. It’s offered for sale by ADN Galeria.

Of course, you can search the entire site for dealers in many locations who offer vintage Mexican silver, mixed metals, and other fine pieces.

The most beautiful things…..Mexico City originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on October 23, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Puiforcat designed silver objects in the Art Deco style and used gilding, decoration in other materials (e.g. rosewood, ivory, onyx, lapis lazuli) and decorative bands of ribbing or reeding in his work. In 1929 he helped found the Union des Artistes Modernes. Most of Puiforcat’s designs were for tableware, but he also exhibited other forms of silver and sculpture.

When World War II began, Puiforcat left France and in 1941 settled in Mexico, where he opened a studio and exported his silver. In 1945 he returned to Paris, but died shortly after his return.

Puiforcat is considered to be one of the twentieth century’s great silver tableware designers. In Perfection: Jean E. Puiforcat’s Designs For Silver  Gail S. Davidson notes that his works “appeal to the intellect as well as the senses.” Discussing Puiforcat’s work in Mexico, Davidson writes that Puiforcat “produced new models inspired by Mexican motifs and incoporating more flamboyant decorative details.”

[see Gail S. Davidson, “Perfection: Jean E. Puiforcat’s Designs for Silver,” The Magazine Antiques, vol. 163, pt. 1 (January 2003)] Read/download: Perfection: Jean E. Puiforcat’s Designs For Silver

Other resources:

Puiforcat (Paris)
Jean Puiforcat entry at answers.com
Search “Puiforcat” in the collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK)
A Silversmith of the Modern Age: Puiforcat
A Silversmith of the Modern Age, part 2

From time to time pieces created by Jean Puiforcat in Mexico are offered on eBay, and it is usually possible to find items he created in France.

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Tea/Coffee Spoons Set 6 pc US $480.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 11:57:52 PST   | Watch this Item

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Dessert Serving Set 3 pc US $980.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 13:40:12 PST   | Watch this Item

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Tea/Dessert Serving Set 19 pc US $1,380.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 23:54:40 PST   | Watch this Item

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Small Dessert Serving Fork 6 pc Set US $560.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 0:47:27 PST   | Watch this Item

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Luncheon/Dessert Serving Set 18 pc US $2,380.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 2:25:37 PST   | Watch this Item

Jean Puiforcat: France + Mexico = extraordinary design originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on September 24, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Vintage Heavy sterling silver Taxco Mexico Clamp Cuff Bracelet amethyst 83 grams US $219.50 (20 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 13:00:05 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage old Taxco Mexico Sterling Silver Hand Made Amethyst Poison Ring signed US $29.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 14:52:35 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Modernist Taxco Sterling Silver and Amethyst Pin Brooch US $29.95 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 16:06:59 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Taxco silver and amethyst necklace/ bracelet - Valentine dream gift US $425.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 17:25:45 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Mexico Taxco Sterling Silver Amethyst POISON Ring OLD & UNIQUE US $65.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 18:00:23 PST   | Watch this Item

Amethyst a popular gemstone in vintage Mexican silver jewelry originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on September 11, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This