Taxco & North American Silver
Taxco leaf shape brooch set with Abalone, c1950
Price: £45
This is a very lovely silver brooch that is leaf, or just possibly feather, shape, the veining set with abalone. It is has an oval mark 'RLC' surrounded by 'Taxco Mexico 925' and dates to the 1950s
Incredible Taxco collar necklace c1960
Price: £350
This is a very rare example of Taxco silver. it boasts 150 grams of silver that has been formed as a ribbon like collar ending in two modernist plaques with pebble formations. It is marked Sterling 925 Mexico
Zuni Cuff Bracelet set with Kingman Turquoise, marked, New Mexico 1970s
Price: £300
This is a heavy silver cuff bracelet comprising a large oval Kingman turquoise stone set into a typical Zuni design featuring clean lines and millegrain work. The Zuni Tribe, located 34 miles south of Gallup, New Mexico, is an extensive community with over 10,000 members and renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and artistry, particularly in the realm of jewellery manufacture. Many of their pieces employ the use of turquoise and the colouration and features of the stone here indicate a provenance from the Kingman mine in North West Arizona. This exceptional piece has the stamped maker's mark 'CIRCLE J.W.' 'STERLING', possibly for Jack Whittaker, an artist known for other pieces in a similar style, and is a prime example of Zuni work, highly fashionable at the time of manufacture in the 1970s and highly desirable today.
Round pendant set with turquoise, Mexico, c1970, the chain later.
Price: £65
This is a large round pendant converted from a brooch depicting a figure on a burro on a background of turquoise pieces. Marked' Heche en Mexico', '925' it is attached to a later chain.
Taxco bracelet set with carved obsidian stones c1950
Price: £55
This is a bracelet that is often seen in different forms and must have been quite popular in its time. It is silver with a gold colour wash and set with carved obsidian stones. Aztec face heads alternate with square stone stations and the surrounding silverwork borders depict the headdress of the Aztec face carvings with scrollwork to the square stations. Marked 'Heche en Mexico' with an eagle head which denotes 925 silver.
Native American turquoise cuff bracelet, 1960s
Price: £225
This bracelet comes from the US although it is not certain which maker. It has the look of a Navajo design which would be from the South West in Arizona or New Mexico. It has two very large natural shaped turquoise stones with a greenish hue and a strong matrix. It is marked 925 inside and then 925A1 and L79 on the outside of the cuff.
Taxco grape motif necklace, c1980
Price: £250
This is a wonderful example of Taxco work in the grape pattern design which was regularly used by the Taxco silversmiths from the early 20th century onwards. It is marked 'Taxco' 'TS-19' 'Mexico' '925', the second mark indicating 'T' for Taxco and 'S' for the city and the silversmith registration number, an identification system which only came into use after 1979, indicating a dating here circa 1980.
Taxco clamper bracelet, attr. to Justo or Jorge Castillo, 1940s
Price: £450
This is a very unusual bracelet that is designed in a double fan form. It has a a three dimensional soft design with large mill grain work around the shapes. It is signed 'Taxco', 'JC 925', 'Sterling', 'Hecho en Mexico' ('Made in Mexico').
Justo and Jorge Castillo come from the Los Castillo workshop. Los Castillo was an influential and ongoing design and manufacturing enterprise established in 1939 by Antonio Castillo and his brothers Justo and Jorge and their cousin Salvador Teran. Los Castillo is known for sterling jewellery and fine pieces in "married metals" combining various metals such as silver, copper and brass. Castillo who arrived in Taxco in 1923, began his long career working for William Spratling at Taller de las Delicias. He married Margot van Voorhies prior to opening Taller Los Castillo bu they were later divorced in 1946. (see The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks, 2013)
Taxco silver bracelet, c1980
Price: £50
This is a very recognizable Taxco design with heavy ball and bar stations. It has a typical Taxco box clasp that is marked 'Mexico' 'TC-314' '925 with additional stamped smaller marks including '925'.
Taxco butterfly brooch with abalone, makers mark EL 1960s
Price: £55
This is a large brooch in silver with inset abalone pieces, marked Heche en Mexico EL. It is not clear who the maker is. It could be Enrique Ledesma but he did not tend to sign his pieces EL.
Taxco charm bracelet, makers mark Castelan, 1950s
Price: £85
This is a fun bracelet comprising a heavy curb chain mounted with charms that have a Mexican motif. It bears the marks 'Castelan' , Eagle mark 15, '925' 'Sterling'.
Taxco bracelet with Aztec mask motif, 1940s
Price: £65
This is very unusual bracelet comprising stations of heavy silver masks connected with five silver rods. It is marked 'Made in Mexico' and 'Silver' and would have been made for export to the USA.
Obsidian Mayan Statuette inlaid with semi precious stones, C20th
Price: £35
An attractive Obsidian statuette of a Maya chief, modelled in an abstract style, his headdress decorated with mother-of-pearl ornament complemented by semi-precious stones which are also used for the collar and foot, including calcite, abalone and sandstone. Obsidian is held to be a purifying stone that encourages personal development and is said to offer protection and solve problems of the past. It is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth and is therefore found wherever volcanoes occur and particularly in South America. Since the figure is a Mexican image, a Mexican provenance is likely but dating is less certain. The stylised design and combination of stone and inlay combine, though, to produce a striking ornamental item.
Mexican silver bracelet set with turquoise plaques, c1990
Price: £75
This is a very striking hinge bangle bracelet set with turquoise (perhaps sodalite) plaques. It has an integrated clasp where you press down on the lower part to release. It is marked 'Mexico 925'.
Silver Brooch in the form of a Butterfly, Taxco 1940s
Price: £65
A silver Brooch in the form of a Butterfly with modelled wings set with beads in metal and turquoise, the slender body terminating in two antennae. Marked Made in Mexico, Sterling with the maker's mark AE in a heart shape. There is also an Eagle mark which indicates the Taxco workshop but this is difficult to identify.
Taxco collar necklace by Rubi Ramirez c1950
Price: £350
This is an outstanding example of Taxco jewellery in a heavy modern design of links creating a fluidity that can only be achieved by the best silversmiths. .Rubi Ramirez is one of the original Taxco silversmiths working with Pedro Castillo and William Spratling. This piece is very clearly marked with Rubi's RR hallmark.
Modernist Silver White Anthurium Brooch, Mexico, 1970s
Price: £25
This is a very unusual brooch that has two white anthurium flowers and gilt stamens. It is marked 'Made in Mexico'.
Heavy silver curb collar necklace, Mexico 1970s
Price: £125
This is a striking necklace comprising a large curb chain connected to two bead work chains to create this statement look. It is unmarked but is quite typical Mexican silver work.
Pair of Taxco Mexican silver earrings, c1980
Price: £75
This is a stunning pair of earrings comprising large oval malachite stones set in silver with beading and rope twist work around the edge. They are from Taxco, the silver district in Mexico, and date to the 1980s. Marked 'Mexico', 'TZ-16', '925', they have been adapted from clip to post earrings to make them more easily wearable.
Silver Lapis lazuli collar necklace, probably Taxco Mexico, c1990
Price: £75
This is a Mexican silver designer necklace comprising small stations with inset lapis ending in a large central station with three sections. It is marked 950 and although it does not have a makers' mark or country stamp it is highly likely that this is from Mexico, most probably from the Taxco region, due to the design and general quality of the piece.
Taxco collar necklace set with obsidian, 1950s
Price: £95
This is a very striking necklace comprising stations of undulating heavy silver wave shaped links and obsidian round stations. It is marked 'Mexico' '925' and with a covered maker's mark where only a 'J' is visible. This may be Jorge Gomez or Justo Castillo since the work resembles their style.
Very unusual Taxco figural ring, Taxco, c1980
Price: £45
This is an interesting ring designed as a naked figure crouching down. Seen from the back it has two eyes and a mouth on the opposite side. It is marked 'Mex 925' and 'TM-5' for Taxco.
Pair of Modernist Taxco earrings, c1980
Price: £45
This is a striking pair of earrings in a modernist style design of thick squares. Marked 'Sterling 925' and 'TS-7A' indicating Taxco, the city of manufacture and the maker's registration mark, a system of identification first used in 1979.
Taxco Silver and Copper Bracelet, c1940
Price: £55
This is a striking bracelet comprising Mexican or Mayan iconographic designs in silver and copper work surrounded by crushed turquoise, lapis and other stones and with Greek Key pattern borders. It is marked 'Hecho en Mexico', '925', and with an Eagle stamp '3' and an illegible maker's mark.
Set of ring and earrings with obsidian mask motif, Mexico, 1950s
Price: £45
This is a very striking and recognizable motif of Aztec masks that feature often in Mexican design. These are carved obsidian set in silver. The earrings are screw back and marked 'Silver Mexico'. The ring is marked 'Sterling'.
Turquoise Native American Cuff Bracelet, 1960s
Price: £95
This is a very striking bracelet comprising a puzzle work of large turquoise stones. Please note: this bracelet does not adjust and is made for quite a small wrist. Please only consider if your wrist is 6 inches or less. It is marked Sterling 925. The maker is not certain but it has the look of a Zuni piece from New Mexico.
Taxco panel bracelet set with turquoise and copper images c1950
Price: £125
This is a very unusual bracelet with curving stations that depict iconography from the Taxco region such as fish, a lizard, a train etc. This is all done with copper that has been set into silver and is surrounded by background of a composition of ground turquoise. It is signed Heche en Mexico with the makers mark J.R..
Taxco Mayan Sundial earrings, c1980
Price: £25
This is a lovely and delicate pair of stud earrings that depict a Mayan sundial, They are marked Mexico 925.
Taxco bracelet with rivet details c1980
Price: £85
This is an outstanding bracelet that feature heavy stations of silver set with brass rivet decoration. It boasts a typical box clasp that is also set with this rivet detail. This motif is quite rare. It is marked TM-79 Mexico 925
Sweet Taxco heart bracelet c1980
Price: £75
This a very lovely bracelet comprising a heavy sliver bangle style bracelet that has a heart at the centre. It is very sturdy and elegant at the same time. It is marked 925 TC-02 Mexico.. The TC number indicates the silversmith and the TC indicates Taxco.
Classic Taxco cuff bracelet, c1980
Price: £75
This is a striking bracelet in a typical Taxco diamond design. It is a cuff shape so brilliant for most wrists and easy to wear. It is marked Mexico TF-15 925. This mark indicates the Taxco silversmith.
Taxco silver elephant cuff bracelet c1970
Price: £85
This is an incredibly fine bracelet that features mother elephants and their babies. It is 3 dimensional with so much detail. Although it does not bear any makers mark it is most likely from the Taxco region due to the quality of the silver and the type of work. It is marked 925. There are times when due to the silver work there is no room for a makers mark so they leave it off. This seems to be the case here.
Native American Zuni silver cuff bracelet c1970
Price: £125
This is a stunning bracelet made by Zuni silversmiths in the area of New Mexico. It comprises a large mosaic of turquoise, mother of pearl and coral that is indicative of Zuni design and work. This mosaic is set into a silver halo of a flower and leaves, also a typical design. It is marked Sterling 925
Pair of Navajo Kingman turquiose earrings, signed, 1970s
Price: £65
This pair of earrings boasts 10 large cabachons of Kingman turquoise. The Kingman mine located in Arizona, is the last commercial turquoise mine in the US. It is known for its intense colour and unique matrix. These earring where produced by a Navaho silver maker. They are signed MJ which indicates the specific workshop. Marked Sterling for 925 silver.
Hopi Thunderbird brooch 1960s
Price: £45
This is a large substantial brooch that depicts a typical Hopi thunderbird design. In Native American mythology, the thunderbird is a powerful spirit in the form of a bird. By its work, the earth was watered and vegetation grew. Lightning was believed to flash from its beak, and the beating of its wings was thought to represent the rolling of thunder.(source : Britannica) It is signed with a monogram 'CA'. Marked Sterling for 925 silver
Taxco suite of necklace and earrings, malachite and onyx stations, 1990s
Price: £250
This is a quite rare suite of necklace and earrings that come from the Taxco region of Mexico. Both comprise stations of malachite and onyx that go all the way around each piece. The stations are each individually hinged which gives these pieces a fluidity and quality that only comes from the Taxco workshops. Both have the typical box clasp and are marked 'TN-57' 'Mexico' '925'. The TN number indicates the workshop although there is no definitive list regarding the numbers attached and an exact provenance cannot be determined.
Taxco silver bangle with onyx and sodalite mosaic decoration, 1990s
Price: £75
This is a beautiful bangle comprising a very heavy and thick band of silver set with sodalite and onyx in an inlay mosaic design. It has a typical push closure and is marked 'TS-98' '925' 'Mexico'. The TS letters stand for the specific workshop in the Taxco region but here is no definitive list of the numbers attached, so an exact provenance is difficult to determine.
Zuni suite of necklace and earrings, New Mexico, 1990s
Price: £95
This is a suite of earrings and necklace by the Zuni silversmiths of New Mexico. They are known for their detailed mosaic work incorporating many different types of stone. Here we have mosaics on both the earrings and the pendant with turquoise, lapis, onyx and coral stones. There are also dangling feathers attached which is again typical of Zuni design. The chain is in a basket weave pattern and marked' 925'.
Modernist Taxco brooch 1980s
Price: £45
This is a lovely and substantial brooch that is fashioned in a stylised bow design. It could also be worn as a pendant. It is marked 'TC-132' 'Mexico' ' 925'. The TC letters stand for the specific workshop in the Taxco region but here is no definitive list of the numbers attached, so an exact provenance is difficult to determine.
Navajo suite of Necklace and Earrings set with sleeping beauty turquoise, 1990s
Price: £250
This is a beautiful and high quality suite of a silver necklace and matching earrings set with ‘Sleeping Beauty’ turquoise. The necklace has three linked stations employing the overlay technique of building up different layers on the design, which represents flying eagles against a background of stylised clouds. Both the necklace and earrings are fitted with bright blue turquoise bead drops, the purity and colour of the stone indicating a provenance from the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ mine, located in Globe, Arizona, which was the only source for turquoise of this type and closed in 2012 enhancing the rarity of the stone today. For many years it was extremely popular among Native American artists, particularly from the Zuni Pueblo region.
The Navajo are a Native American people of the Southwestern United States with the largest reservation in the country, mainly concentrated in Arizona and New Mexico. Their silverwork, which they began to produce in the late C19th, came to enjoy great popularity and often employed the use of turquoise. This matching suite is an excellent example of their work. The necklace is marked ‘Sterling’ for 925 silver and the same material would have been used throughout, providing a perfect backdrop to the ‘sleeping beauties’.