Sterling silver amethyst necklace Margot de Taxco; Photograph DuMouchelle Art Gallery

Lot 22270 is described by the auctioneer as follows:

MARGOT DE TAXCO STERLING SILVER NECKLACE, L 15″:Sterling silver Margot de Taxco necklace with amethyst stones. Starting bid $ 150. Estimate $200 – $400

It seems likely that the bidding will go over the estimate – but you never know. Bids have already been placed. Get the details here.

You might also want to have a look at some of the vintage Margot de Taxco currently available on eBay (see below). Always be sure to do your research and purchase from reputable dealers, no matter what the selling venue may be.

MARGOT DE TAXCO VINTAGE MEXICO STERLING ENAMEL FLORAL NECKLACE & BRACELET SET US $1,500.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 6:59:08 PST   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE MARGOT DE TAXCO MEXICAN STERLING ENAMEL PIN AND EARRINGS SET US $199.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:43:36 PST   | Watch this Item

MARGOT de TAXCO DESIGN VTG MEXICO MEXICAN STERLING 980 SILVER REPOUSSE NECKLACE US $152.50 (19 Bids) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 18:00:07 PST   | Watch this Item

MARGOT de TAXCO DESIGN VTG MEXICO MEXICAN STERLING 980 SILVER REPOUSSE BRACELET US $114.48 (16 Bids) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 18:05:12 PST   | Watch this Item

MARGOT DE TAXCO - MEXICO STERLING SILVER AND COBALT BLUE GLASS VINTAGE EARRINGS US $149.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 16:38:53 PST   | Watch this Item

Margot de Taxco vintage sterling silver and amethyst necklace originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on February 2, 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

Vintage Spratling sterling silver footed salt. Photograph: Crescent City Auction Gallery

Lot 283. Auctioneer’s description: William Spratling (1901-1967), Sterling Footed Salt, on a triangular rosewood base, H.- 1 in., Dia.- 2 5/8 in. Estimated Price: 150-300

At the same auction, you’ll find this vintage sterling silver and malachite necklace from Taxco:

Vintage Taxco sterling silver & malachite necklace. Photograph: Crescent City Auction Gallery

Lot 285. Auctioneer’s description: Mexican .970 Sterling and Malachite Link Necklace, 20th c., with shaped, pierced elongated links, the five central links mounted with oval cabochon malachite stones, signed “Antonio, Taxco.” Estimated Price: 150-250

Get all the auction details from Crescent City Auction Gallery here.

Vintage Spratling and other Mexican sterling silver at Saturday auction originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on January 23, 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

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 Fred Davis silver and onyx necklace. Photo: Heritage Auctions

Auctioneer’s description:

A FRED DAVIS SILVER AND ONYX NECKLACE
Fred Davis, Mexico City, Mexico, circa 1930
Marks: FD, SILVER, MEXICO
13-1/2 inches long (34.3 cm)
3.9 ounces (gross)
The necklace with alternating silver and onyx links, 3 additional links included for extra length. Estimate: $800 – $1,200.
In very good condition overall with surface scratches commesurate with age.

More details on this auction here.

Next, an Antonio Pineda bracelet:

Vintage Antonio Pineda bracelet. Photo: Heritage Auctions

Auctioneer’s description:

AN ANTONIO PINEDA SILVER AND OBSIDIAN BRACELET
Antonio Pineda, Taxco, Mexico, circa 1950
Marks: (crown-Antonio-Taxco), (eagle-17), MADE IN MEXICO, SILVER, 22514
9 inches long (22.9 cm)
8.4 ounces (gross)
The cuff bracelet in a matchstick design with obsidian accents to alternating ends. Estimate: $1,500 – $2,500.
Condition Report*: Very good condition overall with surface scratches commesurate with age.

Click here for the auction details.

And last, but certainly not least, an amethyst and silver necklace with matching earrings by Antonio Pineda:

Vintage Antonio Pineda silver and amethyst necklace with earrings. Photo: Heritage Auctions

Auctioneer’s description:

AN ANTONIO PINEDA SILVER AND AMETHYST TEAR-DROP NECKLACE AND EARRINGS
Antonio Pineda, Taxco, Mexico, circa 1950
Marks: (crown-Antonio-Taxco) MEXICO, TAXCO, 970, 2; (eagle-17), 970
18 inches long (45.7 cm)
6.1 ounces (gross)
The tea-drop necklace with seven amethyst drops and corresponding earrings. Estimate: $1,500 – $2,500.
Condition Report*: Very good condition overall with surface scratches commesurate with age.

Get the auction information here.

On the auction block: Vintage jewelry by Frederick Davis, Antonio Pineda originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on December 5, 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

As one dealer has written, “He is responsible for influencing the Mexican-Modernism art movement, and creating a style so distinct that people identify his work immediately.” Sigi Pineda is possibly one of the last of the great maestros of Mexican silver, continuing to work today.

Below are a few current auctions for Sigi Pineda on eBay (always check the seller’s feedback and ask questions before you buy).  

Vintage 1950s Modern SIGI PINEDA Taxco Sterling TIE BAR US $199.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 18:31:48 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Sterling Silver Sigi Pineda Tasco Modernist Dangling Earrings US $24.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Saturday Feb-11-2012 11:39:11 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Sigi Pineda Sterling Scorpion Pendant & Box Chain Necklace Taxco Mexico US $11.50 (5 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-12-2012 15:20:44 PST   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE MEXICO TAXCO SIGI PINEDA SILVER MODERNIST NECKLACE US $45.00 (4 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-12-2012 21:39:22 PST   | Watch this Item

SIGI PINEDA MEXICO VINTAGE STERLING SILVER AGATE MODERNIST DOUBLE BOOMERANG PIN US $285.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-13-2012 12:31:10 PST   | Watch this Item

The legendary Sigi Pineda, modernist maestro of Taxco originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on November 22, 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 Margot de Taxco enameled silver snake suite. Photograph: Millea Bros Ltd/Live Auctioneers

Bidding for the suite has already begun. The suite is described as being by Margot de Mexico (a different silver company altogether), but has the Margot de Taxco marks. Here’s the auctioneer’s description for Lot# 3437:

Lot 3437: Margot de Mexico enameled silver snake suite
20th c., signed, no. 5554, incl. (1) necklace, (1) bracelet, (1) scarf clip and (2) earrings, 15″l (necklace), approx. 6 ozt. – Condition report: overall good, enamel good, some very minor imperfections, some evidence of age and handling. Estimate: 1,000-1,500

Here is a photograph of the marks:

Hallmarks - vintage Margot de Taxco suite. Photograph: Millea Bros./LiveAuctioneers

For more details about this auction, check out Millea Bros. or Live Auctioneers.

If you’re a Margot fan, be sure to add Penny C. Morrill’s Margot Van Voorhies: The Art of Mexican Enamelwork to your library.  This wonderful book is both a biography and an art book, with very well-researched jewelry history, 485 brilliant photographs, and an appendix featuring the drawings for many of the Margot de Taxco designs. Get the details to save 35% here.

Vintage Mexican silver auction: Margot de Taxco enameled silver snake suite originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on November 19, 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

The auction is labeled “Margot de Mexico enameled silver and ivory suite,” but when you look at the photographs in the listing you’ll see the Margot de Taxco marks.  (Margot de Mexico is not connected to Margot de Taxco.)  Here is the auctioneer’s description for the lot:

Lot 3438: Margot de Mexico enameled silver and ivory suite
20th c., fish motif incorporating a netsuke, signed, no. 5847, incl. (1) necklace with pendant brooch and (2) earrings, approx. 20″l (necklace), approx. 6 ozt. – Condition report: overall good, enamel good, brooch lacking pin, some very minor imperfections, some evidence of age and handling
Estimate: 600-800

The auction, conducted by Millea Bros Ltd of Madison, NJ, takes place on November 20th.  More details at the auctioneer’s website here, along with another listing for a classic Margot de Taxco enameled silver snake suite (Lot 3437).

If you love Margot and don’t already own Penny C. Morrill’s Margot Van Voorhies: The Art of Mexican Enamelwork, add it to your collection at substantial savings. The book is both a biography and an art book, with very well-researched jewelry history, 485 brilliant photographs, and an appendix featuring the drawings for many of the Margot de Taxco designs. Get the details to save 35% here.

Japanese inspiration in Mexico: vintage Margot de Taxco enameled silver and ivory suite originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on November 16, 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, Brass & Abalone Serving Bowl. Photograph: Eric Berg's Early California Antiques

This vintage 1950s silver, brass and abalone bowl is in the Los Castillo style. Click here for all of the details.

Vintage MATL hand mirror. Photograph: Hacienda

Extraordinary signed vintage silver, turquoise and coral hand mirror by Matilde Eugenia Poulat – Matl – would delight any collector. More information here.

Vintage Mexican silver finds: a scorpion serving bowl and a Matl mirror originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on November 12, 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 Amethyst Silver Taxco Ring Size 7 Wide Band Etching zigzag motif Sgd JRM US $149.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 23:42:19 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Melicio Rodriguez Silver & Amethyst Taxco Mexico Bracelet US $475.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 15:20:23 PST   | Watch this Item

Los Ballesteros Taxco Vintage Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet with large Amethyst US $689.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 15:56:27 PST   | Watch this Item

1950s 32" Long Vintage MEXICAN Silver NECKLACE Wrapped AMETHYST Gems TAXCO US $225.00 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 9:22:13 PST   | Watch this Item

VTG TAXCO MEXICAN SILVER ALVARADO MATL STYLE AMETHYST TURQUOISE CORAL RING 15459 US $185.00 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 11:07:17 PST   | Watch this Item

vintage sterling silver carved amethyst pendant Taxco3" US $99.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 20:49:12 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