Antique Vintage Mid Century Sterling Silver TAXCO Turquoise Inlay Pendant 14.8g

  

We have similar Taxco and Mid Century items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing description by: Cameron J. Markings : "Mexico", "Taxco", "925", and maker's mark "JF" on the back of the pendant, tested, and guaranteed.

Length: 8.44 mm to 13.86 mm. Width: 8.44 mm to 12.92 mm. Color: opaque green hue with white and brown striations.

Stone treatment : The stone(s) appear to be untreated, however we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester. Stone cuts : Carved and polished inlay. Bale width: 6.82 mm. Handmade during the Mid Century era by a talented silversmith in Taxco, Mexico.

The pendant shaped into a star motif with five inlaid turquoise stones. Complete with a standard bale for secure wear on chains and necklaces. Complete with a pin stem and locking "c" clasp for alternate wear as a pin brooch. The tarnish on the sliver gives the pendant an antique feel we believe is quite lovely. Tarnish can be removed using a polishing cloth if so desired.

This listing is for the item only. The Mid-Century era, 1935 to 1965, encompassed many new styles of art and architecture and this carried over to jewelry making. This exciting time for jewelry saw movements such as Hollywood Regency, Modernism, Brutalism, and the Atomic Age. Native American artisans were also making their mark in the jewelry industry. Artisans used many kinds of metals, gemstones, glass, and experimented with ceramic and wood as well. This era was filled with new and innovative designs, while also rejuvenating and reinventing older styles. The unique jewelry which emerged from this era is still very popular today. Taxco, Mexico is famous for producing the finest sterling silver jewelry in the world. Taxco has a rich history of silver-making, with the Aztecs being the first to mine and craft sterling silver for adornment and ceremony.

In the 1920s, an American artist named William Spratling moved to Taxco. Being inspired by pre-Columbian and Aztec art, Spratling built a successful jewelry business.

Many local aspiring artisans started apprenticing under him, and he eventually developed an apprenticeship program, with many famous silversmiths having learned there. The Taxco tradition of silversmithing is still carried on by the local artisan community today. Turquoise is found all over the world and has been a popular semi-precious stone used in jewelry and art for thousands of years by many different cultures; from prehistoric times to the present. Turquoise comes in many beautiful color variations; from the popular bright solid sky-blue hues to dark blue hues with dark spiderwebbing throughout, as well as aqua, teal, and many green varieties, and even some rare white with dark spiderwebbing.