Online Resources For Vintage Mexican Silver
If you want to learn more about vintage Mexican sterling silver jewelry and silverware, the list of online resources here will be of help to you. And be sure to check back often for updates.
Spratling Silver
William Spratling, known as the "father of Taxco silver" (and other variations on that theme), played a key role in the establishment of the Taxco, Mexico silver industry.
A good source to begin your research into Spratling is the Spratling Silver Reference Website.
Be sure to review the brief Spratling biography for a good overview.
William Spratling and the Taxco School is a good overview of Spratling and Taxco silver.
For specific tips on collecting Spratling silver, click here.
Modern Silver is an online magazine about modern silver jewelry, metal arts and objects, and allied decorative arts items. Use its search function to find articles and information about vintage Mexican silver, and join its Silver Forum for discussions about silver.
The Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers’ Marks has a good section on Mexican Silver Marks & Makers’ Marks. Additionally there are separate sections for William Spratling hallmarks, Hector Aguilar hallmarks, Antonio Pineda hallmarks, and Los Castillo hallmarks. Additionally, you can see examples of the beautiful silver pieces created by many of the great silversmiths of Mexico, including Margot de Taxco and Carmen Beckmann, and Salvador Teran.
Several wonderful pieces of vintage Mexican jewelry have been shown on PBS' Antiques Roadshow. A Jose de Rivera silver pin was appraised in a 2006 episode that you can watch here. A suite consisting of a necklace, pendant, pin, earrings and bracelet by Margot de Taxco was appraised in a 2005 episode. Watch it here.
Although the focus of this site is silver, anyone who appreciates fine vintage Mexican jewelry will enjoy seeing rare 14 karat gold jewelry by Antonio Pineda, which was appraised on an episode of Antiques Roadshow in 2006.
If you need information about specific jewelry terminology, visit The American Society of Jewelry Historians Glossary of Jewelry Terms or All About Jewels: Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry.
Information about Mexican silver marks, along with tips for caring for your vintage Mexican silver jewelry, here.
Kovels, the publishers of Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles, offers a free price guide search on its web site. You can search by the type of item, or try a search for "Spratling" or Frederick Davis, Los Ballesteros, or other designer. Kovels offers a free weekly ezine too; sign up for it at the web site.
The Amercian Society of Jewelry Historians is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to providing education and information on jewelry history and related topics, including ancient to modern jewelry, cultural influences on jewelry design and wear, famous jewelry designers, jewelry design houses, and jewelry collectors.
The Antiques & Collectibles National Association (ACNA) serves the needs of all individuals (collectors, dealers, show promoters) involved in the various aspects of the antiques and collectibles industry. Membership includes many benefits, including access to insurance.
