Vintage Mexican Silver » modernist

Great gifts for collectors of vintage Mexican or 20th century silver

I love vintage Mexican silver — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:59:26 +0000

‘Tis the season, as they say, and if you are looking for a gift that any collector of vintage Mexican silver or 20th century or modern silver will appreciate, here are some books to consider (click on an image or a text link for more details. Be sure to use the code/link at the end of this post to save a few bucks.):

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

Vintage silver jewelry sale: Black Friday through Cyber Monday

I love vintage Mexican silver — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:09:20 +0000

One of eBay’s Top-Rated sellers is having a huge sale on vintage silver jewelry starting tonight and going on through Black Friday, the weekend, and Cyber Monday. This dealer carries an always-interesting selection of vintage silver jewelry from across the globe. You’ll find Mexican, Native American, Southwestern, Scandinavian, Japanese, and other interesting pieces. We’ve seen Modernist, Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Victorian, and other periods represented in this shop, and the seller has a 99% positive feedback rating. (Of course, always look at the feedback and the seller’s policies before buying, and be sure that questions are answered to your satisfaction before you purchase.)

This is a rolling sale of 100 items per day at 40% off. Each sale will last only 24 hours, so you’ll need to check in daily to see what vintage silver jewelry is on sale. With such good prices and 400 pieces to choose from over the four days, this is a great opportunity to add to your vintage silver collection and/or find some excellent jewelry for gift-giving during the holidays.

We don’t know which items will be on sale, but this dealer has pieces by Los Castillo, FarFan, Brenda Schoenfeld, Carmen Beckmann, William Spratling, Victoria, and other Taxco and Mexican designers, so there’s bound to be something Mexican that will catch your eye, but if not, you’ll find lots of other silver temptations.

Sale details: The first sale starts tonight (Thanksgiving) at 10:00 p.m. PST (midnight CST, 1 a.m. EST) and will run for 24 hours. The next sale starts Friday, November 25th at 10:00 p.m. PST and runs for 24 hours. The third sale begins on Saturday, November 26th at 10:00 p.m. PST, and the last sale starts on Sunday the 27th (10:00 p.m. PST/1:00 a.m. EST) and ends on Monday November 28th.

Start browsing and shopping now!

Vintage silver jewelry sale: Black Friday through Cyber Monday originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on November 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 Mexican silver for the modernist collector

I love vintage Mexican silver — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 19:41:13 +0000

The revival of Mexico’s silver industry and the prevailing aesthetic of modernism in the mid-twentieth century has proven to be a happy match for anyone who collects modern silver jewelry. Fortunately, there are quite a few online resources you can turn to if you want to learn more. Here are some of them:

SilverForum
Modernist Jewelry 1930-1960 by Marbeth Schon
Form & Function by Marbeth Schon
Modern Silver
Antique Jewelry University
RetroStart

Take a peek at some of the vintage modern Mexican silver on eBay:

Vintage Mexican silver for the modernist collector originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on June 25, 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

Upcoming auction includes vintage pieces by Taxco maestros and Pal Kepenyes

I love vintage Mexican silver — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:20:47 +0000

If you love modern design and are a fan of the great maestros of Taxco, this auction is for you.

Palm Beach Modern Auctions’ upcoming Fine Arts, Decorative Arts & Modern Design auction on April 30th includes vintage Taxco silver jewelry by William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Hector Aguilar, and Antonio Pineda, as well as a vintage Salvador Teran brass and mosaic coffee set and a vintage Sigi Pineda mosaic wall plaque.

Along with pieces by Taxco greats are two lots of circa 1960 bronze pieces (one ring, one belt) by the great modernist Pal Kepenyes. Kepenyes is a Hugarian sculptor who left his native land after the Hungarian revolution, settled in Mexico, and became a Mexican citizen. He works in bronze, silver, iron, copper, and gold. His art has been exhibited all over the world and can be found in a number of private and museum collections.

If you’d like to see more of Kepenyes’ art, there are several pieces currently on eBay:

VINTAGE SIGNED PAL KEPENYES MEXICO MODERNIST AGATE BRONZE BIB CHOKER NECKLACE
US $159.49 (12 Bids)
Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:10:34 PST
| Watch this Item

VINTAGE PAL KEPENYES MEXICO MODERNIST AGATE BRONZE NUDE FEMALE PENDANT NECKLACE
US $100.99 (10 Bids)
Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:12:32 PST
| Watch this Item

PAL KEPENYES BRONZE JUDAICA NECKLACE
US $1,500.00
Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 8:18:42 PST
| Watch this Item

Upcoming auction includes vintage pieces by Taxco maestros and Pal Kepenyes originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on April 10, 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

Salvador Teran, one of the great Mexican modernists

I love vintage Mexican silver — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:20:13 +0000

Born in Taxco, Mexico in 1920, Salvador Teran was a silversmith, a sculptor, and a ceramacist/potter whose work was distinct among Mexico’s silver maestros. Teran was very much in and of the twentieth century; he embraced modern design, contemporary design, surrealism and abstraction, often incorporating pre-Columbian motifs in his work. His materials included silver, brass, copper, and glass (mosaic), and he did not limit himself to jewelry: look for murals and other wall art, trays, boxes, sculpture, pitchers, cups, coffee service sets, bowls, and ashtrays. At the moment there are some interesting pieces by Salvador Teran on eBay:

Salvador Teran 1940's mexican vintage vase
US $275.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 10:24:47 PST
| Watch this Item

VINTAGE SIGNED SALVADOR TERAN MEXICAN SILVER CUFFLINKS
US $300.00
Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 10:29:24 PST
| Watch this Item

SALVADOR TERAN BLUE GLAZED GLASS AZTEC PENDANT NECKLACE- GOLDTONE GOLD PLATED
US $53.99 (5 Bids)
Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:28:35 PST
| Watch this Item

Vintage 60s SALVADOR TERAN for Marbel Mexico Goldtone/Blue Lapis CHOCKER
US $199.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 11:25:43 PST
| Watch this Item

Vintage 50s 60s SALVADOR TERAN for Marbel Mexico City Goldtone & Glass NECKLACE
US $106.24
Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 11:47:22 PST
| Watch this Item

MOSAIC SNUFF PILL jewelry Box Eames mid century modern salvador teran TAXCO era
US $125.00
Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 19:30:17 PST
| Watch this Item

MOSAIC SNUFF PILL jewelry Box Eames mid century modern salvador teran TAXCO era
US $125.00
Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 19:32:56 PST
| Watch this Item

Salvador Teran modern era Tray, brass & glass tiles-13"
US $125.00
Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 17:48:56 PST
| Watch this Item

Vintage Rare SALVADOR TERAN MARBEL 11 MEXICE Green Glass 1" Clip EARRING Pair
US $89.00
Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 20:03:56 PST
| Watch this Item

SALVADOR TERAN MEXICO SILVER TAXCO SILVER INLAY EARRINGS MEXICAN
US $75.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Saturday Feb-11-2012 11:47:21 PST
| Watch this Item

Salvador Teran, one of the great Mexican modernists originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on March 20, 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

Most-watched vintage Antonio Pineda auctions on eBay

I love vintage Mexican silver — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:12:24 +0000

A lot of folks are keeping an eye on eBay auctions for vintage Antonio Pineda silver jewelry and other works by the great maestro. These are the items that currently have the most watchers:

More Vintage Mexican Silver

(No results found.)

Search eBay items ending soon for overlooked bargains.

'Hidden' Deals. Secret Watchers. Fun Searches! Start your eBay shopping at...

Most-watched vintage Antonio Pineda auctions on eBay originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on March 18, 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

Your move! Vintage 1970s Los Castillo handcrafted chess set

I love vintage Mexican silver — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:20:58 +0000

This is a pretty remarkable chess set – so beautiful that it will inspire you to play chess if you don’t already do so.

Vintage Los Castillo Chess Set, Taxco, Mexico

1970s vintage Los Castillo chess piece

This handcrafted chess set, vintage 1970s, was created by Los Castillo and is offered for sale by Studio 111.

The chess pieces are silver and brass-plated with inlaid turquoise – a very modern but detailed design.

The handcrafted chess board, which has storage for the chess pieces, is included.

Click here to see more photographs of and information about this exquisite chess set.

Photographs: Studio 111

If you’re on the hunt for vintage Los Castillo, here are some current Los Castillo listings on eBay that might be of interest:

Vintage Los Castillo Married Metal Sterling Silver Earrings
US $377.00
Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 12:16:01 PST
| Watch this Item

4 RETRO VINTAGE STERLING SILVER BUTTONS TAXCO MEXICO by LOS CASTILLO # 652
US $24.50 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 17:36:28 PST
| Watch this Item

VINTAGE LOS CASTILLO AZTEC MOSAICO STERLING DOUBLE FISH PIN NO RESERVE
US $10.50 (2 Bids)
Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 18:00:48 PST
| Watch this Item

VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER LOS CASTILLO 516E SWAN SCREW BACK EARRINGS
US $108.75
Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 19:52:49 PST
| Watch this Item

Your move! Vintage 1970s Los Castillo handcrafted chess set originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on March 9, 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

More vintage Sigi Pineda Modern silver jewelry at auction

I love vintage Mexican silver — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:34:16 +0000

As noted in Sigi Pineda: Master of Modern, Sigi Pineda embraced Modernism and has created many extraordinary pieces over the years. Some of them (a suite of three pieces) are offered as a lot in an auction coming up on Sunday:

Sigi Pineda Mexican Sterling Silver Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Suite. Photograph: Neal Auction Company

The suite is part of the Winter Estates Auction at Neal Auction Company in New Orleans. It’s on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 10:00 AM CST. Here’s the description of the lot (#882):

A Mexican Sterling Silver Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Suite, Sigfrido Pineda (b. 1929), marked “Sigi, Tasco, Sterling Made in Mexico, Eagle 3 and 258″; swirl motif, the collar necklace and cuff bracelet featuring Sigi’s characteristic hinge incorporated into the design, the earrings with screw back. Estimated Price: $600 – $800

See larger image

Mexican Silver Jewelry Details (Hardcover)

By (author) Leslie Pia, Leslie A. Pina

List Price:	$89.99 USD
New From:	$70.99 In Stock
Used from:	$58.69 In Stock

More vintage Sigi Pineda Modern silver jewelry at auction originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on February 9, 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

Los Castillo mid-twentieth century Taxco married metals plate

I love vintage Mexican silver — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:35:15 +0000

The technique of fusing together different metals, known as metales casados (married or mixed metals), is one for which Los Castillo is well-known. Los Castillo, one of the great families of Taxco silver, revived ancient techniques such as married metals and developed a reputation for great design and innovation.

If you are looking for a good example of Los Castillo mixed metals, take a look at this metales casados plate, which will be auctioned at Skinner on December 18th:

Los Castillo mixed metals - metales casados - plate, Photograph: Skinner

Here’s the auctioneer’s description:

20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts – Sale 2531B – Lot 243
Los Castillo Mixed Metal Plate
Mexico, mid-20th century
Circular form with brass copper and silvered metal pie-shaped segments, marked Los Castillo Taxco Hecho en Mexico 95 on rim, dia. 6 1/2 in. Estimate $400 – $500, Starting Bid $200

Click here for more information about this auction at Skinner.
Vintage Mexican mixed metals jewelry and other items are available on eBay as well. Here are a few of the current listings:

VINTAGE MEXICO STERLING ONYX MIXED METALS CUFF LINKS C
US $149.99
Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 14:52:09 PST
| Watch this Item

Vtg Mexico 925 Silver Mixed Metal Azur Malachite Inlay Figural Fish Ring
US $9.95 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 9:12:57 PST
| Watch this Item

STUNNING Vintage BUTTERLY Brooch PIN Multi MIXED Metal Composition TAXCO MEXICO
US $6.50 (2 Bids)
Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 12:12:49 PST
| Watch this Item

Vintage Sterling Silver Bangle Metales Casados Mexico Mixed Metals NR!
US $24.99 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 17:31:49 PST
| Watch this Item

VINTAGE MEXICO STERLING SILVER MIXED METAL ONYX FACE CUFFLINKS
US $75.00
Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 9:49:45 PST
| Watch this Item

Los Castillo mid-twentieth century Taxco married metals plate originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on December 10, 2010. 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

3 extraordinary vintage bracelets by Antonio Pineda

I love vintage Mexican silver — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:13:50 +0000

These three vintage Mexican silver bracelets by Antonio Pineda (offered by established dealers) are a real feast for the eyes!

Antonio Pineda Bracelet
Mexico, Circa 1950′s

From the seller’s description:

Circa 1950′s. Beautiful architectural piece with spheres framed by opposing C’s, by famous Mexican modernist Antonio Pineda. This massive and elegant bracelet is highly desirable and is often referred to as the “ball bearing”. Pictured in “Silver Seduction”, Fowler Museum at UCLA, plate 42.

Photograph/Dealer: Woodard & Greenstein

Antonio Pineda Swan Bracelet
Mexico, 1953-1970

From the seller’s description:

A stylized sterling silver bracelet of swans with obsidian bodies by Taxco’s master silversmith, Antonio Pineda (1919-2009). The bracelet is marked with Antonio’s crown hallmark, as well as the 970 silver mark and an impressed mark “Sterling Silver Mexico”. It also has the Mexican government’s eagle 17 mark guaranteeing sterling content.

Photograph/dealer: Leah Gordon

Antonio Pineda Modernist Silver and Amethyst Bracelet
Mexico, 1960

From the seller’s description:

This is an exceptional bracelet by the Modernist Master Antonio Pineda. This oval shaped, very wearable bracelet, has an interior diameter of 6 3/8″. The interior oval shape measures 2 1/4″w x 1 3/4″d. The highest point of the bracelet measures 1 1/8″h.

Photograph/Dealer: DouglasRosin

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…The over two hundred remarkable Pineda objects illustrated in this volume reflect the artist’s intense imagination and quest for technical perfection.”

See larger image

Silver Seduction: The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda (Paperback)

By (author) Gobi Stromberg

List Price:	$35.00 USD
New From:	$25.52 In Stock
Used from:	$27.23 In Stock

3 extraordinary vintage bracelets by Antonio Pineda originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on October 13, 2010. 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