See larger image Collecting Under the Radar: Tomorrow's Antiques (Hardcover) By (author) Michael Hogben and Linda Abrams For collectors of vintage Mexican silver who have seen prices steadily climb in recent years, it might be hard to remember that in the cosmic scheme of things, the mid-century Mexican treasures we love so much represent an area of collecting that still has plenty of growth ahead. And Collecting Under the Radar: Tomorrow’s Antiques by Michael Hogben and Linda Abrams reminds us of that. Vintage Mexican silver is just one of many types of collectibles considered in this book.  If you’re like me you probably collect other stuff and are interested in at least some of the collectibles that are still “under the radar.”  If so you’ll enjoy this book with its many tips – useful for new collectors as well as those with more experience. List Price: $26.95 USD New From: $15.57 In Stock Used from: $0.25 In Stock

Collecting Under the Radar: Tomorrow’s Antiques originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on December 6, 2009. 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.

The July 2009 issue of Antiques & Collecting magazine has a piece by Donald-Brian Johnson, with photography and research by Leslie Pina (these two have collaborated on a number of books of interest to collectors). Called “Mexican Silver Jewelry: Glitter of the Gods,” the article offers a good look at why Mexican silver jewelry has been so appealing and interesting to collectors. Unfortunately the magazine’s web site does not have the article online – what a drag! I’d love to give you a link to it.  If you don’t subscribe to the magazine, perhaps your library has it.

The author divides Mexican silver jewelry into three design periods:  the era before the conquistadors arrived in the 16th century, the colonial period up to the beginning of the 20th century, and the period from the 1930s through the 1970s. (It was during this last period that the most popular and collectible pieces of Mexican silver jewelry and metalware were created.) Accompanying the article are photographs of a dizzying assortment of silver and mixed metal pieces.

Of course, you can skip the article and read Pina’s two excellent books, which I wrote about in my recent post here.

“Glitter of the Gods” originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on August 19, 2009. 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.