Tradition lives on: Ana Maria Nunez de Brilanti (Victoria)
Victoria was the trade name of Taxco silversmith Ana Maria Nunez de Brilanti. She was born in Mexico city and later started a small workshop in Taxco. William Spratling and Margot de Taxco helped Brilanti improve the quality of her work, and she eventually became a silversmith whose standards were extremely high, always striving for perfection.
Victoria is believed to have introduced the married metals technique (metales casados) to Taxco. Some examples of Victoria’s work and makers marks are included at the Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers’ Marks.
Image courtesy brilanti.com
Brilanti’s first shop in Taxco was Plateria Victoria S.A., opened in 1940. Some 18 years later she opened another Taxco store, Cony, named after her daughter.
de Brilanti’s legacy didn’t end with her death in 1999. Her son Jose took over the business, and now the third generation continues the tradition. Joyeria Brilanti is online with history, information about the family, a gallery of the pieces they now offer, and even a video about how handcrafted jewelry is made.
I found this lovely vintage Victoria silver bracelet now available from an eBay seller with an excellent reputation.
Here is the seller’s description:
This bracelet resembles a puffed heart with a shadowbox cutout Angel design that shows beautifully against the dark niello background. It has a tongue and box closure with a safety chain. The bracelet is marked VICTORIA, MEXICO, TAXCO, STERLING with a design number of 53 and an eagle 12. The weight is 42.3 grams and measures 7″ x 3/4″. The condition is excellent. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
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